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Glass ^yVj^^/ 

Book- ^- 4 7 <^ -: 



DONA --^^ 

L-C 

IGNEZ DE CASTRO, ''^ 

A 

FKOM THE PORTUGUESE 

OF 

NICOLA LUIZ, 

WITH 

REMAEKS ON THE HISTORY OF THAT 
UNFORTUNATE LADY, 

BY 

JOHN ADAMSON. 



Contra hua Dama, o peitos carniceirosy 

Ferozes vos mostrais^ e ca'valleirosf — CamOENS. 

foul disgrace^ to knighthood lasting stain^ 

By men at arms an helpless Lady slain/-— MICKLE* 



NEWCASTLE: 

PRINTED AND SOLD BY D. AKENHEAD AND SONS. 

SOLD ALSO BY LONGMAN, HURST, REES, AND ORME; AND 

VERNOR; HOOD AND SHARPE, LONDON. 

1808. 



.li^. 




\^ 






387270 

>2e 



TO 

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 

LORD VISCOUNT STRANGFORD, 

HIS majesty's 

ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY AND MINISTER 
PLENIPOTENTIARY, 

TO THE COURT 

OF HER MOST FAITHFUL MAJESTY; 

THIS VOLUME 

IS, 

BY HIS LORDSHIP'S PERMISSION, 
INSCRIBED, 

BY 

HIS LORDSHIP'S 

MOST OBEDIENT AND HUMBLE 
SERVANT, 

THE TRANSLATOR. 



REMARKS. 



The distressing narrative of Dona Ignez de 
Castro has not only been a favourite subject for his- 
torians and travellers, but has afforded a theme for 
poets and the writers of the drama. Camoens has 
introduced it into the third canto of his Lusiad, in an 
episode, which may be esteemed the happiest produc- 
tion of his great mind ; and has exerted all his powers 
to paint her distresses in the most pathetic manner* 
Voltaire, though in other respects a detracter of the 
fame of Camoens, acknowledged the superior grand- 
eur of his genius in this passage ; and says, " There are 
few parts of Virgil more tender or better written/"'^ 

The following remarks are selected from the dif- 
ferent histories and travels which have noticed this 
subject :f 

* " II y a peu d'endroits dans Virglle plus attendrissants 
et mieux ecrits." 

De r Essai sur la Poesie Epique. 

t Historia del Reyno de Portugal de Faria j Sousa. 
Murphy's Travels in Partugal. Mickle*s Translation of the 
Lusiad, &c. &c. 



Dona Ignez was the daughter of Don Pedro 
Fernandez de Castro, a Castilian nobleman. He 
commanded the frontier army of Alonso XI, kuig of 
Castile, in 1337 ; but, on account of favours received 
from Alphonso IV, tlien king of Portugal, and from 
his father Denis, he refused to fight against that coun- 
try and took refuge in its court. 

[n Dona Ignez were united all the charms of 
beauty, and the most graceful and accomplished man- 
ners. 

Don Pedro,^ son of Alphonso IV, and heir ap- 
parent to the Portuguese crown, was a prince of a 
noble and brave disposition, and whose exploits had 
rendered him illustrious. He became enamoured of 
the charms of Ignez, and waving all considerations of 
birth and fortune, was privately married to her at 
Braganza, by the bishop of Guarda. 

This, however, was concealed, and his inter- 
course with Dona Ignez, passed at the court as an in- 
trigue of gallantry. But the nobility having got in^ 
timation of his marriage, and jealous of the prefer- 
ence shewn to Ignez, took eveiy opportunity of repre- 

* Don Pedro was at this time a widower, his first consort 
the princess Constance, daughter of Don Jchn Emanual of 
the blood royal of Castile, and whose mother was of the house 
of Aragon, having been dead some time. Dona Ignez attend- 
ed this princess to the Portuguese court. 



senting her as a woman of unbounded ambition, and 
pretended that very fatal consequences might be dread- 
ed from such an alhance. They alledged that her 
brothers,"^ who were very powerful in Castile, might 
destroy the prince's son, Fernando, by the lady Con- 
stance, in order that one of their nephews might 
inherit the crown. They also said that Dona Ignez 
was not of sufficient quality to be a queen, but in this 
they were mistaken, for she was of the blood royal, 

• The brothers of Dona Ignez deserted, with several 
others, the cause of the Castilians, in the early part of the 
reign of Fernando, who succeeded to the throne of Portugal 
on the death of his father Pedro. Fernando bestowed vast 
possessions on them that came over to him; particularly the 
brothers of Dona Ignez. To Fernando, earl of Castro Xeres, 
he gave fifteen towns, and to Don Alvaro Perez de Castro his 
brother, he gave eight towns, with the earldom of Arroyolos, 
and the office of constable,f then first instituted. It was the 
greatest charge in the kingdom, being generalissimo or captain 
general of all the forces. It has been hereditary in the noble 
family of the famous Don Nuno i\lvarez Pereyra, but now 
the duty of such charge Is performed by the generalissimo, 
who Is appointed at the king's pleasure. It answers to the 
ancient titie of Lord High Constable of England.}: 

The author of this play has therefore taken a small histo- 
rical liberty, by introducing the character of the constable in- 
to it. His error as to this personage is, however, not in the 
least detrimental to his character for truth, as any other titled 
person would have fully answered his purpose. 

f Faria y Sou?a. | Vicyra. 



and her sister* sat on tlie throne of Castile. They 
even went so far as to hint that the princess Constance 
had been murdered, to gratify the prince's attachment 
to Dona Ignez, and tried every method to turn the 
resentmei^ of the king against \^i\ 

Alj^onso, who sought such an alliance for the 
prince as would strengthen the succession to the crown, 
and who himself had been an undutiful son and a cruel 
fether, b«t a great and fortunate warrior, and diligent 
in the execution of the laws, lent a too willing ear to 
their insinuations ; and was. at last persuaded to mur- 
der her. 

Dona Ignez, at this lime, resided near Coimbra, 
in the palace of Santa Clara, ^v^lere she passed her 
time in the most private manner, atteiKiing to the e- 
ducation of her children,f and to the dirties of her 

* Married to Henry, count of Transtamara, brother to 
king Peter, the successor of Alonso XI. Henry drove Peter 
from his dominions and usurped the crown. 

f The prince's children, by Dona Ignez, were, i&tAlpton- 
90, -who died a child, od, Denis, who refusing to kiss the 
hand of queen Ellenor, wife ©f king Ferdinand, went iato 
Castile, where he married Joanna, bastard daughter of king 
Henry. 3d. John, who, by the advice of queen Ellenor, kill- 
ed the lady Mary Tellez de Menezes, his o\vn wife, and the 
q»een*s sister; he should have succeeded king Ferdinand; b«t 
John, king of Castile, kept him a prisoner, and in the meaa 
time his bastard brother, also named John, usurped the'crown. 



domestic affairs. The king, who was then at Monte* 
mayor, took a journey to Coimbra. The prince un- 
fortunately was abroad on a hunting party, when the 
iing arrived. Dona Ignez, apprized of his approach, 
went out to meet him with her infant children, and 
throwing herself at his feet, implored him to pity 
them. The feelings of nature for a while interested 
him in her favour, but his counsellors, Pedro Coelho, 
Diogo Lopez Pacheco, and Alvaro Gonsalves, urging 
the necessity of her death, and reproaching him for 
his disregard to the welfare of the state, he relapsed 
into his former resolution. By his orders she was 
dragged into his presence, and with the utmost aggia- 
vation of inhumanity murdered before him. 

This bloody transaction was scarce concluded 
when the prince ariived. Finding those eyes, which 
were wont to vvatcli his return with impatience, closed 
in death, he gave way to all the bitterness of distrac- 
tion, and in the fury of his resentment invoked the 
vengeance of heaven to punish the monsters, who bad 
deprived him of all he held dear upon earth. 



In Oastile, he married Constance, bastard daughter of king 
Henry. 4th. Beatrix, wife of D. Sancho, earl of Albuquerque, 
bastard son of Alonso XI. king of Castile. 

Faria y Sousa» 



10 

As soon as her remains were Interred, he put 
himself at the head of an army, \vho, sympathizing in 
his distress, carried fire and sword through the country 
between the rivers Minho and Douro, and laid waste 
the estates of the murderers. He then marched to 
Canaveses, where, by the interposition of his mother, 
and the archbishop of Braga, he was prevailed upon 
to disband his army, and became reconciled to his 
father. But the cries of his grandchildren still echoed 
in the ears of Alphonso, and the bleeding image of their 
mother, was constantly before his eyes. Finding his 
end approaching, and conscious that the prince w ould 
be revenged on the murderers of Dona Tgnez, he ad- 
vised them to fly. Death at length commiserated his 
Situation, and, full of repentance, he expired at Lisbon 
in May, 1357. 

Don Pedro now ascended the throne in the S7th 
year of Iris age. He no sooner obtained powder, than 
he began to meditate revenge for the death of Ignez. 
'The murderers had fled into Castile, previous to the 
death of the late king. In their absence the prince 
ordered them to be tried on a charge of high treason, 
and, being found guilty, their estates were confiscated. 
He next contrived to seize their persons, by propos- 
ing to the king of Castile that they should make a 
reciprocal exchange of fugitives, a matter which was 
easily accommodated; for at that time there were in 



11 

Portugal a few Castilians* whom he knew the king 
was equally desirous of getting into his power. Alva-* 
ro Gonsalves, and Pedro Coelho, were accordingly ar- 
rested and sent in chains to Portugal. Diogo Lopez 
Pacheco got intimation, while out hunting, and 
exchanging garments with a beggar, escaped into 
France. 

The king was at Santarem, when the delinquents 
were brought before him. He instantly put them to 
the rack to discover their accomplices, but without 
effect. He then ordered them to be laid on a pyre 
formed contiguous to a banquet, which had been pre- 
viously prepared; and, whilst they agonized under 
lingering torments, their hearts were cut out, one at 
the breast and the other at the back. The pyre was 
then set in a blaze,^ in presence of which he dined, 
as they evaporated in flames. After this, he sum- 
moned an assembly of the states at Cantanede ; be- 
fore which, he solemnly swore he had taken Dona 
Ignez de Castro to wife, at Braganza, in the presence 
of the bishop of Guarda, and the Signor Lobato, 
Master of the Robes, both of whom confirmed the 
b 2 

• Peter Nunnez de Gusman, Lieutenant of Leon. Me» 
Roiz Tenorio, Fefdinand Gudiel de Toledo, and Fortun 
Sanchez Calderon* 

Farja y SousAv. 



truth of his attestations by an oath. The bishops of 
Lisbon, Porto and Viseo, and the prior of Santa 
Cruz, with many other persons of respectabihty, pub^ 
Jished the marriage ; the causes why it was concealed; 
and the dispensation granted by Pope John XXII. 
on account of their being within the forbidden degreed 
of consanguinity. 

The body of Dona Ignez was hfted from the 
grave in the church of Santa Clara, at Coimbra, 
placed on a magnificent throne, and with all the insignia 
of royalty crowned queen of Portugal. The nobility 
did homage to her skeleton, and kissed the bones of 
her hand. After this ceremony, her corpse was re- 
moved to Alcobaga, with a pomp hitherto unknown 
in the kingdom, Tho' the distance between the two 
places was seventeen leagues, yet the road was all the 
way lined on both sides with people holding lighted 
tapers. The funeral was attended by vast numbers 
of noblemen and gentlemen of Portugal, dressed in 
long mourning cloaks, their ladies attending dressed 
in white mourning veils. Her monument is still ex- 
tant, and is next that of her husband Don Pedro. 
Her statue is adorned with the diadem and royal robe. 

This, with the legitimation of her children, and 
the care he took of ail who had been in her service, 
consoled him in some measure and rendered him 
more conversable than he had hitherto been : but the 



13 

cloud, wliich had been cast over his mhid was never 
totally dispersed, and nothing could divert his attention 
from ruminating on the fate of his beloved Ignez. 

The impression the death of Dona Ignez made 
upon the mind of Don Pedro was strongly charac- 
terized, not only in the tortures he inflicted on her 
murderers, but also, in all the acts of his administra- 
tion; which, from their severity, induced some to 
give him the appellation of Pedro the Cruel ; others 
Pedro the Just, and others o Justoceiro, signifying 
the Severe. Upon the whole it appears that the title 
of Pedro the Just, most properly belonged to him. 
History cannot afford an instance of any prince, who 
has a more eminent claim to the title. His diligence 
to correct every abuse was indefatigable, and when 
guilt was proved, his justice was inexorable. The 
anecdotes told by his historians, of his justice, are in- 
numerable. He was dreadful to the evil, beloved by 
the good; rank was no protection, and his inflexi- 
ble severity never digressed from the strictest jus- 
tice.^ Though the fate of Ignez chagrined and sour- 
ed iiis temper, he was of a gay and sprightly disposi- 
tion; affable, and easy of access. He delighted 
in music and dancing ; was a lover of learning, a man 
of letters, and a poet. 

• Camoens has given a very spirited character of Do« 
Pedro.— Lu&iad canto 3, and Micklc*s notes. 



14 

The romantic retreat of the prince and Dona 
Ignez, is thus described by Mr Link. 

" The country round Coimbra, is uncommonly 
beautiful and mountainous, and extremely cultivated. 
Tlie mountains are covered with small pine woods, 
with some German oaks. The vallies are watered by 
brooks, and full of gardens, quintas,^ neat summer- 
houses, and even monasteries ; and adorned with olive 
and orange trees; and the Portuguese cypress in a- 
bundance. The Mondego winds before the city and 
on both sides of it is a very narrow and very fruitful 
vale, which this rapid stream inundates in winter. In 
the distance, on one side, are seen the high mountains 
of Lousao ; and on the other, that of Bussaco, whose 
solitary summit is adorned with a celebrated monaste- 
ry of Carmelites ; and its quinta w ith high shady cy- 
presses. Those to whom the ascent is not too labo- 
rious, will here find the richest variety. Opposite to 
Coimbra, on the bank of the river, is the Quinta das 
Lagrimas, or Garden of Tears ; with a fountain of the 
same name ; which rises at the foot of a hill shaded 
by fine Portuguese cypresses. Don Pedro and Dona 
Ignez de Castro, shewed great taste in the choice of 
this little spot, where Coimbra with its charming sur- 
rounding country, displays itself to the eye. In the 

* Qulntas are the Summer mansions of the Portuguese, 
Summer-houses small fancy buildings. 



15 

romantic valley of the Mondego, the Quinta of Tears 
forms a spot over which Fancy seems to hover in all 
her sportiveness, and if poetry has ever sent forth a 
few sparks of radiance in Portugal, it has been the 
offspring of this charming vale. Camoens, who stu- 
died at Coimbra, has often celebrated the beauties of 
this enchanting spot : his fiction, founded on the po- 
pular name of the rivulet, is in the true spirit of 
Homer." — Link's travels in Spain and Portugal. 

" ITiou, O nymph, the while, 
Prophetic of the God's unpitying guile : 
In tender scenes by love-sick fancy wrought. 
By fear oft shifted, as by fancy brought; 
In sweet Mondego's ever verdant bowers, 
Languishing away the slow, and lonely hours: 
Which, now as terror wak'd thy boding fears, 
The conscious stream receiv'd thy pearly tears: 
And now^ as hope reviv'd the brighter flame. 
Each echo sigh'd thy princely lover's name. 
Nor less could absence from thy prince remove; 
The dear remembrance of his distant love ; 
Thy looks, thy smiles before him ever glow. 
And o'er his tender heart endearing ilow ; 
By niglit, his slumbers bring thee to his arms, 
By day, his thoughts still wander o'er thy charms; 
By night, by day, each thought thy loves employ, 



16 
Each thought, the mem'ry, or the hope of joy. 

W * ^ * ^ 

Ye distant forests, and ye flow'ry dales ! 
When pale and sinking to the dreadful fall, 
You heard her quivVing lips on Pedro call. 
Your faithful echoes caught the parting sound, 
And Pedro, Pedro ! mournful sigh'd around ; 
Nor less the wood nymphs of Mondego's groves, 
Bewail'd the mem'ry of her hapless loves; 
Her griefs they wept, and to a plaintive rill 
Transform'd their tears; and weep and murmur still; 
To give immortal Pity to her woe, 
They taught the riv'let through her bowers to flow ; 
And still through vi'let beds, the fountain pours 
Its plaintive wailing, and is nam'd Amours." 

Mickle's Lusiad, canto 3. 
Such is the story, which has given birth to so 
many tragedies. In 1695, the Agnes be Castro 
of Mrs Catherine Trotter, afterwards Mrs Cockburn, 
appeared at the theatre-royal. The plot is taken 
from a French novel of the same name,"^ and met with 
great success ; it was printed in the same year in 4to.*f' 

• BIbliotheque des Romans, par. M. le C. Gordon de Per- 
cel. vol. 2. p. io8, Amsterdam, 1734. 

This novel, which was printed at Paris, in 1688, was 
translated by Mrs Behn, into English, and has but a very dis- 
tant connection with the history of the times, and the story of 
Dona Ignez de Castro. 

f Baker's Biographia Dramatica. Barker*s List of Plays* 



In 176^ or 1763, aj^eared Eli^tiha, written 
by Mallet. He was under great obligations to 
Monsieur de la Motte, his Elvira being nearly a trans^- 
ktion of the tragedy of that author, founded on the 
same subject. It had a run of nine nights, but never 
afterwards appeared, and was printed in 1763.^ 

The Ines de Castro of De la Motte is writ- 
ten in a style top lofty and blustmng. Its language 
k unsuited to the character of its heroine; and it 
wants all the pathos and elegance of the Lusiad. 

Luis Veiez de Guevara in his Sp^di Tragedy, 
intituled, Reynar Despues de Morir is much 
superior to De la Motte, and has followed the dic- 
tates of nature, and the episode of Gamoens, Don 
Pedro talks in the absence of his Ignez with the beau- 
tiful simf^ity of an Arcadian lover, and she implores 
the tyrant with tlie genuine tenderness of female 
affection and delicacy .-f- 

In the 6tli volume of El Parnasso Espanol, 
compHed by Don Juan de Sedano, and published 
at Madrid, in 1768 and the following yeais, are two 
Spanish Tragedies, written in 1577, by F. Geronimo 
Bermudez. Theyare intituled NiseJ to be pitied, 
and NiSE crowned with Laurels; or the 

c 
* Murphy's Life of Garrick. f Murphy*s Travels in PortugaL 

i NisE I imagine to an anagram of Ines, so fond of pun- 
ning are the Spanish Dramatists, 



18 

History of Dona Ignez de Castro, Princess of Portu- 
gal, They are each in five acts, and in blank verse, 
with double chorusses, of which three are sapphic. 

The Dona Ignez de Castro of Nicola Luiz, of 
which the following sheets are a translation, approach- 
es nearest to the truth of history, and possesses a con- 
siderable elegance of composition. The author had 
no occasion to resort to fiction to engage the passions, 
as the simple facts are sufficient to fill up the scenes 
of pity and of terror, and to shew what excess of love 
and revenge may be infused into the human mind. 
He represents the sensibility of Ignez with a masterly 
simplicity, and, however the translator may have suc- 
ceeded, the author has certainly described her various 
emotions at the apprehension of being deprived of her 
children, her lover and her life, with all the luxuriance 
of tenderness, and brevity of eloquence, that charac- 
terize the purest models of the drama. 

There are two other tragedies in the Portuguese 
language, founded on the same subject ; one of them, 
by Domingo dos Reis Quita, may be found in the 
works of that author, published at Lisbon, 1766, in 2 
vols. 8vo. It is in three acts, in verse, and has been 
translated into English prose, by Benjamin Thompson, 
Esq. and was published in London, in 1800. Tlie 
other, by S. Sylveira, was printed at Lisbon, in 1764, 
and has been translated into German."^ 

* Twiss's Travels in Spain and Portugal. 



ERRATA. 

Page 8, Line 18, for Signior read Signor. 



p- 


77, 1. 


4, — Ignes, r. Ignez. 


p- 


88, 1. 


22, — I'll no more, r. I'll hear no 
more. 


p- 


98, I. 


1, dele King. 


p- 


102, 1. 


4, for darkens, read darken. 



DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 



ACT. I. 



DRAMATIS PERSONJE. 

Don Alp HON so King of Portugal, 

Don Pedro His soriy heir to the throne. 

The Constable of Portugal. 
NuNo DA Cunha. 

AlvIeo''gon14Vves } Councdlors of the King, 

D. Alphonso "'^ Sons of Don Pedro and 

D. DiNiz 3 Dona Ignez de Castro, 

Dona Ignez de Castro, Wife of Don Pedro. 

VioLANTE Her Attendant. 

Dona Branca- Princess of Navarre. 

Grandees of Portugal^ Guards, &c. 
Scene, at and near die City of Coimbra in Portugal. 



ACT. I. SCENE I. 

A Hall in the Quinta of Alvaro Gonsahes, 
Enter 

THE PRINCE DON PEDRO & THE CONSTABLE. 



DON PEDRO. 



NOW Constable ! that weVe arriv'd within 
The palace of Alvaro Gonsalves, 
Reveal the secrets which oppress you so. 
With sorrowing look you did intreat me, 
While tears fast trickled down your aged cheeks> 
To leave my sports upon the mountain's top, 
And to this Quinta bear you company. 
Complying with your wish, at your request 
1 left the chace and my diversions there. 
Let my affection, the respect I feel 
For your old age, spent in noble actions, 
WJiich e'en will make posterity envious, 

A % 



4 BONA IGNEZ ACT I. 

Excuse my impatience.^ — My earnest zeal 
For the welfare of my country urges it : 
Besides, it has ever been my nature, 
To feel an int'rest in another's woes. 
Consider it therefore as a duty, 
Reveal to me the cause of this your grief, 
Nor any longer leave me in suspense. 

CONSTABLE. 

My lord, my prince ! 

The chief cause of my grief, the just complaint 

I have to make, — but my heart grows timid, 

And the words half-form'd are stifl'd in my breast ; 

I'll kiss^ your hand, your pardon crave, and beg 

Permission to unfold what lies conceal'd 

Within my breast ; grief which my obedience, 

Fidelity, and care, have given birth to. 

You, my honour'd prince, for long have witnessed 

The many services IVe done the state ; 

To these I do appeal — 

DON PEDRO. 

But against whom is your complaint? 

CONSTABLE. 

Against yourself. 
* Kissing the hand is a common mark of respect in Portugal, 



ACT I. DE CASTRO, 

DON PEDRO. 

How ! — Against me ? 

CONSTABLE. 

Alas, 'tis true ! You are the only comfort 

Of my worn out life — when the gracious Lord 

Of Heaven first filFd with light those princely eyes, 

He sent a brave defender of our rights, 

A great protector to the Lusian throne ; 

But ah ! How shall I say it, you, my prince ! 

Wish this day to turn my joys to sorrow. 

DON PEDRO. 

Away with all reserve, you are my friend ; 

I wish to know your grief; and through respect 

To those white locks, that venerable head, 

I'll give attention to your case, and now 

Await compliance to my wish — 'gainst me — 

Or just, or no, — I do desire to hear 

The cause of your complaint — relieve your grief. 

CONSTABLE. 

Unconquer'd prince ! My ever gracious lord ! 
Animated with the royal goodness 
With which your highness alway honors me, 
I will, in pursuance of my duty, now 
Unfold what you so much desire to know. 



6 DONA IGNEZ ^CT I. 

'Twas by the king's commands I brought you hither: 
Hun I left near Coimbra. — 

BON PEDRO. 

Why from Lisbon ? 

CONSTABLE. 

In search of you, and to this palace comes. 
Audience demanding of his much-lov'd son. 
Your betrothed bride doth journey with him. 
Who languishing in your absence — 

DON PEDRO. 

Peace, Constable! For I can hear no more — 
The means he's us'd to force upon me 
A bride I hate, and who I ne'er can wed, 
Has caus'd my absence from the court of Lisbon.. 

CONSTABLE. 

Heavens ! How passion blinds that manly soul. — 
O my prince ! My lord ! Why wish to shorten 
Your father's life, alas ! now near worn out 
With royalty's heavy duties. The nobles 
And the public voice demand your nuptials, 
And the princess bath'd in tears, fearful of 
An alienation from your love, requests 
Your prompt compliance with the royal promise. 



ACT I. t)E CASTRO. 7 

Your absence too from court doth grieve tae king, 

And hastens on his end.— And will a prince 

Just, learn'd, and prudent, and of powers so rare 

As fit him for the empire of the world. 

With such distractions rend the nation's peace ? 

This is the cause of my complaint. — O prince i 

I see the king afflicted for your sake, 

And fain would pour sweet balm into his soul. 

The princess is betroth'd, and all demand. 

With eagerness, th^ auspicious morn that brings 

Such welcome joy to father, nobles, commons. 

You, my lord! 'midst the splendour of a court 

Were born to rule ; and in this one respect 

The people's v/ish should guide their prince's choice. 

DON PEDRO. 

Now I've heard you out — but if for the crown 
I am to violate my nuptial vows. 
Why then I'd rather be without the crown; 
Happier to me, and what my soul would wish. 
Relinquishing at once all pomp and splendour. 
To live with her I love. — But Constable ! 
Let's speak to the purpose : Should my father 
Or his subjects want successors to the throne. 
There is the prince Fernando i"^ should he die 

• Fernando, son of Don Pedro and the princess Constance, 
«u<:cceded his father in 1367, being at that time %y years of age. 



8 DONA IGNEZ ACT I* 

Before his brow shall bear the weighty crown, 
I can present two pledges in two infants. 
My own legitimate sons. 

CONSTABLE. 

Then 'tis certain you are Castro's husband ! 

DON PEDRO. 

Tis true! 

CONSTABLE. 

Heavens ! What anguish presses on my soule 

DON PEDRO. 

Why take it so to heart? Why this distress? 
Is not my Ignez worthy to partake 
The regal pomp of universal empire ? 
Her many virtues, make her doubly so : 
Besides, flows not in her veins the royal blood 
Of Spain and Portugal ? 

CONSTABLE. 

O Signior! Why kept you so long that secret, 
Which after, in disclosing, might have been 
Cause of such disturbance in the kingdom. 

DON PEDRO. 

Prudence then told me, that I should be silent, 



ACT I. DE CASTRO. 9 

Now 'tis my duty to declare my marriage ; 
The news of which, when it shall reach the king, 
Will fill his heart with gladness, and with joy, 
And Ignez and myself shall share his smiles. 

CONSTABLE. 

Heaven grant it may be so! — Yet much I fear 

Your refusal to espouse the princess 

Will much provoke his rage. — But see, he comes ! 

Enter the king. 

KING, 

Let my followers attend without. — 

DON PEDRO. 

My dearest father ! Prostrate at your feet 
Allow your son to fix upon your hand 
The surest mark of his obedience. 

KING. 

Rise prince ! — Scarce can I overcome my rage.^ — 

(Aside,) 

DON PEDRO. 

Why comes my father to Mondego's vale. 

KING. 

Pedro ! Need you w onder here to find me : 

B 



10 DONA IGNEZ ACT I. 

I came to seek you. Tell me, how is it 

That Lisbon is so odious in your sight, 

The splendour of the court doth not deUght you ? 

Is it because within its walls reside 

Your father and your spouse ? You cannot wonder 

That Coimbra hath charms for me, when there 

I find a son so duteous to his sire. 

DON PEDRO. 

I was on the point of setting oflf, when — 

KING. 

Constable ! You may retire — - 

CONSTABLE. 

Alas ! I dread the anger of the king. 

DON PEDRO. 

•O my life! My much adored Ignez! 

I fear my father is incens'd against thee, 

But death alone shall violate the vows 

By which I swore to love and to protect thee. 

How shall I break this awful gloom. (Aside.) My 

liege ! 
If lovers a fault ; but Oh, alas ! I fear 
That face which us'd to look with kindness on me 
Betrays some anger brooding in your breast. 



ACT I. DE CASTRO. 11 

KING. 

Proceed! What love is this has seiz'd your brain, 
And drives you thus to avoid my presence, 

DON PEDRO. 

I dare not speak it, — (Aside.) 

KING. 

You say that love usurps within your heart 
An arbitrary reign. How can you hope, 
That all your arts combin d can now resolve 
The sacred ties which I have destinM for you ? 
To perfect these, my honor lies in pledge. 
Pedro ! This maxim ever keep in mind. 
That our first care should be. That he w^ho rules 
And sways the sceptre of a state like this. 
The people's good, the welfare of the nation. 
To private interest ever should prefer. 
If, headstrong, we endeavour to oppose them, 
It is a flagrant injury done the state. 

DON PEDRO. 

The state acknowledges and the world admires^ 
The prudence, which, my liege ! you Ve ever shewn 
In all the actions of your happy reign ; 
That the public weal did ever guide your thoughts, 
The nation s welfare, and the people's good.^ — 
b2 



i€ I>ONA IGKEZ ACT I. 

But O my sire ! Do not so far demand 
The strict obedience of your wretched son, 
Nor force an union that his soul detests. 

KING. 

A royal father holds it as his right 

To wed his children for their nation's good. 

To strengthen constitutions^ and to quench 

The flames of war, princes have always sought 

Daughters of foreign kings to share their thrones. 

'Tis wanton tymnny that rests its head 

On the lascivious bosom of delight, 

And sells its country for its interest's sake. 

Vf ith all a parent's tender fondness, long 

I've toil'd to find a partner for the throne. 

You soon must fill. At last my choice devolv'd 

On one where love and beauty had combin'd 

To work perfection — Branca of Navarre. 

To Portugal, as royal bride she comes. 

But you in coldness from her presence fly. 

Silent in grief she mourns, while her wan cheek 

Betrays the hidden anguish of her soul. 

As to a daughter consolation soft 

As mercy oft I give, and often pour 

The vial of pity on her heaving breast. 

That you comply my royal word is pledg'd ; 

But with a tyrant and ungrateful son 



ACT I. 



DE CASTKO. 13 



A father's honour is not sacred held, 

And he forgets the parent that has watch'd 

The wants and weakness of his infant years. 

The princess hither my companion came, 

And in the adjoining hall attends, 

Impatient of your absence. Hear my will — 

If not with all the love her beauty claims, 

And all the rev'rence that her biith demands. 

Yourself you do demean unto your spouse ; 

Never again the father seek in me. 

But power offended, majesty severe. 

If still perverse, you dare oppose my w ill. 

Force shall extort consent. O beauty, thou 

Hast often filled the bitter cup of woe ! 

What tragic scenes hast thou been privy to ? 

Ruin and rapine by thy tender side 

Full long have traversed o'er this mortal stage. 

Was it not thee who pour'd into the eye 

Of Helen all the magic light that wrapt 

Troy's citadel in flames, and did not thou 

Languish with Cleopatra in the arms 

Of Anthony, and Egypt overthrow. 

O let not Portugal these horrors feel; — 

Let not thy furies loose to fill our plains 

With hostile banners and the shrieks of death! 

Pedro ! You are my son, my vassal still, 

Embrace the wishes of a loving sire, 



14 DONA IGNEZ ACT !• 

Or dread the vengeance of an angry king. 

(Exit.) 

DON PEDRO. 

cruel^ cruel threats! But they are vain. Ne'er can 
Her image from my breast be torn^ nor shall 

Such horrors for my Ignez vex the state. 
Ignez ! Oh ! what were Cleopatra's charms, 
Or Helenas beauty, w4ien compar'd with thine? 
Thy cause is virtue's. Yes, my life, my love! 
By every tie I'm bound, for ever thine. 
But soft ! The princess comes : Unto her ear 

1 w ill reveal the story of my love. 

Enter the Infanta^ dona branca. 

DONA BRANCA. 

See w here he stands, his mind deep lix'd in thought. — 
O Love ! Use now thy efforts in my cause. 
With winning sweetness now^ inspire my tongue, 
To charm the prince. (Aside,) My prince, ray lord ! 

DON PEDRO. 

Most beautiful Infanta ! Permit me 
To salute your royal hand. 

DONA BRANCA* 

Hold, my lord! 



ACT I. DE CASTRO. 15 

DON PEDRO. 

Nay do permit it, gentle Branca ! 

DONA BRANCA. 

Ah! 

No, no — It must not be — I must not have 

Caresses, which, not flowing from the heart, 

Bring coldness with them ; and it cannot be 

A pleasure to your highness to salute 

A hand he cares not for. 

DON PEDRO. 

O gentle princess ! 

For want of ardour you forbid my lips 

To plant false kisses on your beauteous hand : — 

You see me cold, but ah ! you know not why ? 

DONA BRANCA. 

Too well I know, I'm odious in your sight. 
Led by the hand of hope, I came to seek 
A princely lover: but I find his heart 
Another fills, and leaves no room for me. 

DON PEDRO. 

Ah ! w^eep not thus. — ^Your high attractions soon 
Will bless you with a happier prince than me. 
The sun of fortune often bursts the gloom 



16 DONA IGNEZ ACT I. 

Of darkest ills, and comes when least expected. 
The Power that gave you such uncommon charms, 
Hath doubdess m reserve, a worthier lord 
Deserving of your virtues. 

DONA BRANCA. 

What do I hear! 

Heavens ! my blood runs chill ! — A worthier lord ! 

Am I then so soon devorc'd — so soon shut out — 

Quite lost to your affection ? Does Pedro 

Thus coldly treat th' Infanta of Navarre ? 

At your father's suit, my brother sent me 

To be your bride, and, as I fondly hop'd, 

To share the coming honors of your house. O prince ! 

Frown not on me. Am I, alas ! the cause. 

That sadness gathers up your brow, and like 

A mourning statue motionless you stand. 

To you I am betroth'd ; and even now 

Th' Infanta of Navarre the king proclaims 

Princess of Portugal. 

DON PEDRO. 

Tliat ne'er can be. 

While Ignez lives, she shall be idol here. (Aside,) 

Princess, a moment 3 cur attention grant, 

I have a secret for your ear, that long 

Has laid conceal'd within my breast. Listen. 



ACT I. DE CASTRO. 17 

DONA BRANCA. 

To hear fresh insult is insanity. 

But yet I'll suck the poison from his tongue, 

That I may mix him up a deadlier draught, 

(Aside,) 
Proceed, 

DON PEDRO. 

I do beseech your highness hear. 
In Spain I saw the beauteous princess, Constance, 
I sought, I gain'd her love, and made her mine; 
But soon had I, alas! to mourn her loss. 
Attendant on her, to my father's court, 
A lovely fair one came. The royal blood 
Fiow'd through her veins, and wdth a bounteous hand 
Nature on her had lavish'd all her arts. 
Ignez de Castro was the lady's name. 
But for her beauty, Portugal and Spain 
Call'd her ^The Lady with the swan-like neck.'"^ 
Princess, forgive the ardour of my words. 
Yourself have equal charms. — My consort's death 
So fiU'd my soul with grief, I thought it proof 
Against all beauty's power. But love, enrag'd 
To see me quit his shrine, infuriate shot 
c 

♦ In the original, Collo dc Car^a, The neck of a heron.. 



18 BONA IGNEZ ACT I. 

A thousand sharper arrows through my heart. 

While in the palace grounds one eve I walk'd, 

The rosy sun just gliding from the sky; 

That blessed time when dubious twilight comes, 

More splendid beams illumin'd then my soul, 

Than e'er the morning sun could proudly boast. 

The beauteous Ignez, like a statue fair 

Of alabaster, leaning, seem'd t' adorn 

A fountain. On her beauty oft Fd gaz'd, 

But ne'er till then had seen her half so fair, 

So gentle and attracting. Through the boughs, 

Cover'd with flowers, awhile my swimming eyes 

Rov'd wildly, and, unable to endure 

The flame that so with rapture thrilFd my veins, 

I long'd to speak. She saw me, and surpriz'd, 

The beauteous colour of her cheek grew^ red. 

Love gave me utt'rance, but her modest fears 

Sought refuge from my sight. Life of my soul, 

I cry'd, if heaven has form'd thy face divine. 

Let not thy heart be cruel ! It is not so, 

She pitying answer'd; and her magic voice 

Stole in such sweetness on my list ning ear, 

I swore in strongest terms to make her mine : 

The church soon seal'd the vows my lips had made. 

My father then with wintVy eye look'd on 

And judg'd our constancy illicit love; 

At last; to tear us from each other's arms, 



ACT 1. DE CAStRO. 1§ 

Unknown to me, your highness was proclanny 

My spouse. Fond hope still flutters round my heart; 

For just and wise, O princess ! as you are, 

To frustrate power misus'd, raise up the head 

Of infant hope — be gentle to my wife. 

Our union with two infants heav n hath blest, 

Sweet emblems of their mother; and our love 

Is now the burden of the village song. 

A little fountain, where at morning oft 

My babes with Ignez come to wait their sire. 

The peasants call ^ the Fountain of Amours.' 

I pray your pardon, I mean no offence, 

But with sincerity to tell you all. 

If Portugal has not a prince for you. 

How many monarchs will rejoice to hear 

What insult you esteem. But, Ignez, now 

Thy tender heart o'erwhelm'd with boding fears 

Perchance my absence blames. — Princess ! adieu, 

The body should be where the soul exists. 

(Exit.) 

DONA BRANCA. 

Heavens ! Do I breathe and hear these insults ? — Yes, 
I breathe revenge for all the wrongs I suffer. 
What infamy ! thus boldly to declare. 
For Ignez he disdains my proffer'd hand. 
Then Ignez die — yes, yes, thy doom is seal'd.— 
c2 



20 DONA IGNEZ ACT I. 

Since 'tis for thee I suffer this disgrace, 
I will be savage to revenge my wrongs. 
Not all thy tears, nor all thy looks of woe, 
Shall lure me from my purpose ; and the king 
Bound by his honor now shall do me justice, 
And drag this Ignez from her lover's arms. 

(Exit.) 

ACT I. SCENE IL 

A Garden. 
Enter 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO, AND VIOLANTE. 



VIOLANTE. 

Beauteous Signora! you seem quite fatigu^T 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Oh ! my Violante ! I'm quite worn out. 

VIOLANTE. 

O cruel love ! Whene'er the prince is gone. 
The hve long day you wander thro' the fields. 
To see your grief the birds forget their song. 
And the ^weet fluwers bend their beauteous heads; 



ACT I. 15E CASTRO. £1 

For, like Aurora iish'riiig in the morn, 

Your lovely eyes are still impearl'd with tears. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Ah ! Violante ! little dost thou know, 

What awful images possess my soul. 

My eyes grown dim with tears, no longer view 

The morning's brightness with such raptVous joy^ 

As at tV auspicious dawning of our love, 

Wl^en Pedro present, happiness and joy 

Went hand in hand to charm us wdth delight. 

Alas ! those days are gone, and 1 have lost 

My peace of mind. — My hopes of joy are fled. — ► 

I wander by the peaceful river's bank. 

Where oft at eve with Pedro I have stray 'd. 

Mondego ! my tears increase thy stream, 
And now thy banks afford me no delight. 

But when my prince returns to cheer my heart, 

1 dry my tears, put on a look of joy. 
Conceal the grief which would distress his soul^ 
And with dissembled pleasure hear his love. 
But now the magic of his tongue is fled, 

W hich, once in concert with the feather'd choir, 
Form'd melody divine. No more for me 
With pleasure Spring adorns the river's bank; 
I hate the shepherd's song, — 'tis sadness all. 



!82 BONA IGNEZ ACT I. 

VIOLANTE. 

Whence is the source of this consuming grief? 
Burns not the prince's heart with that pure flame 
And constant faith it ever did ? 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO, 

OYes! 

He loves me still. 

VIOLANTE. 

Then moderate your grief. 
I know you love the prince. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Yes: — Death alone 
My passion can abate. 

VIOLANTE. 

Whence then your fears ? 

By ties most sacred is he not your spouse ? 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

I fear the vengeance of an angry king, 

And from that time the princess Branca came 

Hither invited as my Pedro's wife, 

My boding heart oppress'd with heaviest woe, 

Has never known e'en momentary ease. 



ACT I. BE CASTRO. ^3 

I see a gath'ring storm ready to burst 
And spend its direful fury on my head. 
I see a sword unsheath'd to pierce my heart, 
And call my love to succour and protect me. 
If heaven sheds thro' my soul a ray of hope, 
And peace returns ; still these distracting thoughts 
Hang out their gloomy terrors o'er my mind. — 
I dread the picture which my fancy draws. 

(She sits down on a bank,) 

VIOLANTE. 

Pardon, dear madam, my officious love ; 
If e'er a frightful dream disturbs my sleep, 
And when awake, I find it but a dream. 
My heart rejoices that th' illusion's fled. 
Come then, dismiss your fears, be not alarm'd; 
But happy in the prince's faithful love. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Happy indeed I was, and still my soul 
Could happiness enjoy ; but, Oh ! I see 
A princess come to claim my Pedro's love. 
Hostile to me, and arm'd with royal powder; 
And if her wish succeeds, what may I hope ? 
Where art thou, Pedro ? O my lord, my life ! 

VIOLANTE. 

The prince; distracted by your constant grief, 



£4 DONA IGNEZ ACT I, 

Seeks by the chace to ease his angiiish'd soul. 
Let not his absence thus diffuse a gloom, 
For soon my lord returns. — But, hush! she sleeps, 
O heaven ! look down with pity on her w^oe ! — • 
I'll bring her tender babes, whose pretty smiles 
Can soothe her sorrow^s : — O most w^elcome sight ! 
The prince in haste approaches. 

Enter don pedro. 

DON PEDKO* 



Violante ! 

My lord! 



VIOLANTE. 



DON PEDRO. 

Where is my soul's delight, my Ignez ? 

VIOLANTE. 

Here on this bank her eyes are clos'd in sleep. 

DON PEDRO. 

Ignez, my life ! 

VIOLANTE. 

Soft, soft, my gentle lord ! 

DON PEDRO. 

I can't be silent here. — Ignez, my love { 



ACT I. BE CASTTIO. €5 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Stay— Oh! Stay. 

(Dreaming.} 

DON PEDKO. 

My life! 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Off cruel tyrant ! 

Do not murder me. — Pedro ! O my love ! 

(Waking.) 

DON PEDRO. 

My angel ! 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Twas then but fancy. 

DON PEDRO. 

Sweet idol of my heart ! O my Ignez ! 

Come to these longing arms ; here shall you rest, 

Here shelter find from all your fears. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

O heavens ! 

What jcy to meet thee thus ! 



26 DONA IGNEZ ACT I. 

DON PEDRO. 

With what dehght 

I fondly gaze upon thy beauteous charms, 
Now soften'd by your tears. — But tell me, love ! 
The cruel dreams that caus'd your gentle fears* 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

I thought I felt the pangs of death come o'er me. 
I saw a savage lion, prowling for his prey, 
Tear my sweet infants from my lov'd embrace. 
I saw him in the act to slay their mother. 

VIOLANTE. 

O unhappy Signora ! Thy poor heart 

Doth ne'er enjoy a moment's peace. — My lord ! 

Whene'er your highness leaves her, bath'd in tears, 

She sighs away the hours ; and if soft sleep 

Steal o'er her w^eary eyes, in horrid dreams. 

She views some impious wretch, Vv'ith terror arm'd. 

Intent on murder. 

DON PEDRO. 

Ah ! distracting thought ! (Aside.) 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

W'hy dost thou fear, my love i Why, Pedro, let 
My suff 'rings wound thee thus? Speak, tell me all; 



ACT I. BE CASTRO. €7 

Whence this sad gloom which now hangs o'er thy brow ? 

DON PEDRO. 

Can I be happy ? when I see thee thus. 
No, no, thy Pedro faithful to thy love, 
Must still partake thy grief and share thy joy. 
'Twould be a crime against the bonds of love, 
To view unmov'd the sorrows that oppress thee. 
But come, my life ! and let my hopes revive, 
Nor dull the lustre of those lovely eyes. 
Those sweet revolving stars, which ever us'd 
To gaze and beam with fondness on thy Pedro, 
I must not see them thus echps'd with tears. 
Send through my soul a glance of that sweet look, 
Which ever added brightness to thy charms. 
I your adorer and protector am. 
Then wherefore fear a wild unmeaning dream? 
Imagination oft presents to view 
Horrific prospects to affright our sleep ; 
And could we dissipate the clouds of time, 
The ills we bear will be our greatest good. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

O Pedro ! If thy gen'rous soul would pour 
Some healing balm to cheer my drooping heart. 
Forsake me not. Now indeed 1 want thy help. 
Let that pure love, that faith with Avhich you swore 
D^ 



28 BONA IGNE2 ilCT To 

•"» 

To guard me, now be mine. 

BON PEDRO. 

Can you e'er' doubt 
My love ? 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

The beauty of th' Infanta — 

DON PEDRO. 

Ne'er can move me. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Does not your father look 
With kindness on her ? 

DON PEDRO. 

Am I not thy husband? 

Have not I sworn to love thee ? 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

She knows it not. 

DON PEDRO. 

Soon shall she know I'm thine. To her I will 
Assert thy claim. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Heavens ! Is the princess then 
In Coimbra.f* 



ACT I. DE CASTRO. 29 

DON PEDRO. 

Why fear Branca's presence? 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

O my full thoughts ! I feel as if my blood. 
Forgetful of its course, froze in my veins. 
And his majesty? — 

DON PEDRO. 

He journey 'd with her. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO* 

wretched Igiiez ! then thy fears were true 
Pedro, Pedro! Do not now forsake me. 

DON PEDRO. 

1 forsake thee. O heavens ! Do not wrong me^, 
E'en to suppose me guilty of the crime. 

Ignez, my life ! If in my power it lies, 

Still may's t thou hope to sit upon the throne, 

And share my love as queen of Portugal. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

TTwas not the pleasing prospect of a throne 
Nor wish of empire that e'er made me yours; 
'Twas no ambition to be call'd a queen, 
That rais'd me up to dignity like this. 



30 DONA IGNEZ ACT !• 

All that my soul desir'd were Pedro's love 
And rural comfort, dearer far to me, 
Than all the gorgeous splendour of a court, 

VIOLANTE. 

My lord ! The royal guards approach the quinta,. 

DON PEDRO. 

How ! Can it be my father? 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO, 

Ah whither 

Shall I fly? Where conceal myself? — 

DON PEDRO. 

My angel ! 

Do not fear, when I am with you. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Pedro! 

Oh ! Leave me to my fate. 

DON PEDRO, 

Nay fly not, love ! 

Stop and address the king. Do not retire; 

111 go and leaiu the cause of his approach. 

(Exit.) 



ACT I. DE CASTRO. 31 

DONA IGNEZ BE CASTRO. 

O sweetest babes! Companions of my sorrows! 
Perhaps this very moment is the last, 
That I may clasp you to my beating heart, 

VIOLANTE. 

Dear madam ! They come— 

Enter the two Children^ don alphonso and 
DON diniz. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Come, O come to my arms, my dearest babes! 

DON ALPHONSO. 

O my dear mother, tell me, why you weep ? 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

For you, my babes ! I w^eep, w^hose tender age 
Demands the kind attention of a mother. 
Alas ! Perhaps for ever soon we part. 
O my sweet children! Alphonso, Diniz! 
Dearest offspring of my tenderest love. — 
Cruel fate ! Thus to rob me of my peace. 
Of all my comfort. 

DON ALPHONSO. 

Do not weep, mother ! 
Indeed it grieves us. 



32 DONA IGNEZ ACT !• 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Your gi^andsire orders 

That you go with him to Lisbon. 



DON ALPHONSO. 



Then, mother, 
You'll o'o with us ? 



DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 



Oh! I go to sleep 
Within the silent tomb. 



VIOLANTE. 



Nay, dear lady, 

You wish to kill us with these mournful, sad 

Predictions. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Alas! they are the offspring 

Of my wi'etched heart. But, what do I see? 

The princess and the king. 

VIOLANTE. 

O do not grieve. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Can I cease my sorrows when I see her? 

O my full heart! What dost thou now presage? 



ACT I. DE CASTRO. 33 

In his dark frown I see a judge severe, 
In her a prmcess hostile to my life. 

DON ALPHONSO. 

Dearest mother! Who are they? 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Your grandsire 

And the princess of Navarre. 

DON ALPHONSO. 

Let me see him, 

And I'll kiss his hand, and make him love me. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Where — ^Whither shall I fly? my heart will break. 

(Conceals herself Kith the children,) 

Enter the king, the infanta of Navarre, don 
PEDRO, alvaro gonsalves, and 

EGAS COELHO. 
KING, 

Pedro I cannot — will not hear you further. 

DON PEDRO. 

O torment dire ! — ^The world proclaims your goodness. 

KING. 

Pedro ! no more, my patience is worn out, 



34 DONA IG3SEJ5 ACT I. 

Tm weary with the hopes of your amendment. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

my sad fate J The king is much enrag'd. 

(A^ide.) 

DON PEDRO. 

Why is my father so severe with me ? 

KING, 

A son that rashly spurns his father's power, 
Should ne*er again enjoy his father's love. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

1 have not power to speak, I'm struck with fear. 

(Aside.) 

EGAS COELHO. 

Princess ! observe the justice of the king. 

(Aside to Dona Branca.) 

ALVARO GONSALVES. 

The king determines to support your cause. 

. DONA BRANCA. 

He speaks not bold enough, nor makes my wrongs 
The subject of his rage. 



ACT f. BE CASTR0. S3( 

KING. 

The time is come, 

When you, as my successor to the throne, 
Must bow submissive to the pubhc choice ; 
Now must my royal promise be fulfiird. 
Prepare to-morrow to receive your bride, 
If you refuse, my double anger dread. 

DON PEDEO. 

What tyranny is this ? — 

DONA BRANCA, 

Mark you the prince, 

See, how the ingrate stands. 

(To Egas Coelho and Alvaro Gonsalves.) 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

O cruel fate ! 

heaven support me while I plead my cause ! 

(Enters.) 
A humble vassal trembhng at your feet, 

1 beg permission to salute your hand. 

KING. 

How beautiful! — How modest!— How discreet! — 
I must have pity on thy wretched state. 

(Jside,) 



S6 DONA IGNEZ 



ACT I. 



DONA BRANCA. 

D spurn her hence! and hasten my revenge. 

(Aside.) 

KING, 

Ne'er did she seem so lovely in my sight. (Aside,) 
Rise, Dona Ignez ! — Beauteous Ignez, rise I 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Where can I bend my knees with more, Ah ! where 
With such propriety as at your feet ? 
May heaven look down with mercy on your liege, 
And long preserve your empire and your health. 

KING. 

Tgnez! arise* (Tenderly.) 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Tliere's mercy in liis eye. (Aside ) 

KING. 

What modest speech ! what chaste, what virtuous looks ! 

(Aside,) 

DON PEDRO. 

Rejoice my heart! — He pities her distress, 
He sees my Ignez, gentle, wise, and good. 

(Aside.) 



ACT I. DE CASTRO. 37 

DONA BRANCA. 

The king attends too much. — O burnmg rage ! 
How shall I prison thee vvithin my breast. 

(Aside.) 

Enter the children^ don alphonso and 

DON DINIZ. 
DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO, 

Diniz, Alphonso ! go, my sons ! and kiss 
With reverence and with love the royal hand, 
Which can a^ert th' impending ills! dread. 

DON ALPHONSO. 

Come, Diniz ! We beseech your majesty, 
Permit us to salute your royal hand. 

KING. 

How beautiful ! What images divine 

Of all the gentle charms their mother wears, 

They will convert my rage to tender love. 

Come here, sweet boy ! and tell me, what's your name ? 

DON ALPHONSO. 

Alphonso, Sire ! your grandson, servant too. 

KING. 

How know you, child! that you my grandson are? 



58 DONA IGNEZ ACT -1^ 

DON ALPHONSO. 

My mother said so, and I'm happy, sire,^ 
To call you by so good and kind a name. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO, 

You're right, my child ! The king is good and kind. 

KING. 

You have a prudent mother too. — But soft. 
Affection must not now subdue my heart ! 

(Aside,) 

DONA BRANCA. 

What do I see? What injury is this? 
He lavishes caresses on her babes, 
When he did swear to hasten my revenge. 

(To Egas CoelhOf and Alvaro Gonsalves,) 

KING. 

Infanta, come ! — Ignez, I bid farewell ! 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO, 

May heaven's sweet mercy long protect your life^ 
And to your highness let me humbly crave — 

DONA BRANCA. 

I^m flatter'd by your prayers. (Ironically,) 



ACT I. DE CASTRO $9 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Could you not ODce 
Conceal your rage ? 

DONA BRANCA. 

What feigned humility ! 

DON PEDRt). 

With tow'ring pride, th' Infanta views my spouse. 
But Ignez is discreet, and well can bear 
The savage throbbings of her furious heart. 

( Aside. ) 

DONA BRANCA. 

Whence am I come, and whither shall I go ? 

KING. 

With me, Signora. 

DONA BRANCA., 

Am I ever thus 

To meet opprobrious looks, and e'en 

Before my rival insults to receive. 

KING. 

O bitter task impos'd on majesty ! 

What grief and sorrow has it cost my lieart, 

To view this tragic scene ? While one demands 



40 DONA IGNEZ ACT f. 

My feelings to take pity on her woes, 
The other tells me I must be severe. — 
But speak, Infanta ! What is your desire ? 

DONA BRANCA, 

If thus her suff 'rings move your tender heart, 
Then pardon Ignez, and let Branca go. 

(Ironically,) 

EGAS COELHO. 

My liege ! The welfare of the state depends 
On what your majesty may now resolve. 

KING. 

I know it, and my soul is torn with grief — » 
But justice shall determine what is right. 

ALVARO GONSALVES. 

Believe me, to secure the kingdom's peace. 
The nuptials of the prince must be perform'd. 

(To the king,) 

KING. 

Torment like this w^ould rend an iron heart ! 

DON PEDRO. 

What have these specious courtiers urg'd ? I know 
The wily sycophants my ruin plot. 



ACT I. DE CASTRO. 41 

DONA BRANCA. 

O Patience bear me up, I faint with rage. (Aside.) 

Shall we not go, my liege ? 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Once more, 

My gracious liege ! permit these lips to press 

Your royal hand. 

KING. 

Unhappy, wretched king ! 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

And grant these lovely babes one parting kiss. 

KING. 

What innocence is pictur'd in their looks ! 
Children, Farewell! 

DON ALPHONSO. 

My grandsire dear, adieu ! 

KING. 

Will you, my child ! with me to Lisbon go ? 

DON ALPHONSO. 

O no, my liege ! our mother is so kind, 

That when we're absent, she does nought but weep. 

F 



42 DONA IGNEZ ACT I, 

KING. 

These tender words bespeak your mother's care. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

To your protection, Signor ! I commend 
These helpless babes ; and if their mother's lot 
Can't claim a guardian for their early years, 
Yet for your Pedro let them share your love, 
And pity me. 

KING. 

I cannot hide my grief. 

Beautiful, unhappy Ignez ! would to God, 

That Portugal had never seen thy face. 

DONA BRANCA. 

My liege, I cannot look upon her charms. 

(Exeunt Kingy Infantay Egas Coelho, and 
Alvaro Gonsahes,) 

DON PEDRO. 

My duty, dearest Ignez ! bids me go 
To know his pleasure and his last resolve. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

t 

Oh ! PedrO; Pedro, will you leave me thus ? 



ACT I. DE CASTRO. 45 

DON PEDRO. 

O my sours delight ! my love attend thee, 
Till I return with joy to soothe thy heart. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Alas ! when you are gone, my joys are fled, 
And ne'er return but with my love. 

DON PEDRO. 

It grieves me, 

Ignez ! now to leave thee. Alphonso, Diniz ! 

Stay with your mother. (Kisses them,) 

DON ALPHONSO. 

Let us kiss your hand. 

DON PEDRO. 

My Igiiez, my life ! 
Farew elJ, my love, adieu ! 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO* 

Heaven guaid my prince. 

'Tis death to part Vvith what one's soul doth love, 

Pedro, farewell! my lord, my life, adieu! 

End of Act First. 



f2 



44 DONA IGNEZ ACT IT. 



ACT n. SCENE I. 

An Apartment in the Palace of Alvaro Gonsahes. 
Enter 

ALVARO GONSALVES, EGAS COELHO and the 
INFANTA. 



DONA BRANCA. 

Go, Egas! Tell the khig I am resolv'd. 
Too long the coldness of his son I've borne, 
His offers unperform'd too long have mourn'd ; 
Tell him my mind is fix'd, and that this night 
I set out for Navarre. 

EGAS COELHO. 

Infanta! hear, 

While we impart his majesty's commands. 

DONA BRANCA. 

Great are the insults offer'd to my rank, 
And my proud spirit will no longer bear 
To be thus treated. Yes, I am resolv'd — 
I still have power this contract to annul ; 
My profFer'd hand, disdain'd, shall ne'er be hi&. 



ACT II. DE CASTRO. 45 

ALVARO GONSALVES. 

If Ignez has to-day with piteous look 
Disarm'd his rage, and with her tale of woe 
Into his affection stoFn ; urg'd by your wrongs 
To-morrow's dawn will see him more severe. 

DONA BRANCA. 

Will not her tears again prevail? Will not 

Her pretty babes, on whom he fondly doats, 

W ith sure success still plead their mother's cause ? 

EGAS COELHO. 

The king is prudent, and his manly soul 

W ith mildest means will strive to gain the prince, 

And thus from Ignez his attention call. 

DONA BRANCA. 

Th^ attempt is vain. — He never can succeed! 
How firm the sacred tie which binds the hearts. 
Where but one thought, one wish alone prevails? 

ALVARO GONSALVES. 

His majesty's commands, when arm'd with threats, 
Can ne'er be disobey'd. Without its flame. 
The prince's heart will soon forget to burn. 

DONA BRANCA. 

Too many insults I've already borne. 



46 DONA IGNEZ ACT II. 

^Twould not become a princess of my rank, 
Thus calmly to look on and suffer more. 

EGAS COELHO. 

Princess ! your nuptials, tlio' thus long delayed, 
Will end your sorrows and your wrongs redress. 

DONA BRANCA. 

There is no happiness for me. The prince 
To Ignez gave his hand before I came. 
Alas ! Don Pedro uses no deceit, 
I had the fatal story from himself. 

' ALVARO GONSALVES. 

Princess ! To you his majesty declares, 

The prince avails himself of this device, 

T' excuse his coldness and protract your joys^ 

DONA BRANCA. 

This is new insult. His wishes to avoid 
These nuptials strongly prove his hate to me. 
What madness is it then, to wed a prince. 
And odious in his sight, to bear his scorn, 
And not enjoy his love ? — ^There is no cause, 
For him to play the stern deceiver thus. 

EGAS COELHO. 

Ignez ! Thy life must aaswer for his crime. 



ACT !!• DE CASTRO. 47 

ALVARO GONSALVES. 

How sad the thought, that murder must be us'd ! 
But 'tis his majesty's commands. Princess ! 
Your wrongs demand her death. 

DONA BRANCA. 

What has thou said ? 

The horrid thought doth freeze my blood. 'Tis true, 
I came to wed the prince, but mighty heavens ! 
I did not come the murd'rer of his wife. 

ALVARO GONSALVES. 

But— 

DONA BRANCA. 

Peace ! ' 

EGAS COELHO. 

Princess ! The king draws near. 

ALVARO GONSALVES. 

He comes 

By kind persuasion to retard your flight. 

DONA BRANCA. 

With new excuses to torment me. 



48 DONA IGNEZ ACT II. 

Enter the king. 

KING. 

Infanta ! 

Dearest daughter! Let your goodness pardon 

My long absence. 

DONA BRANCA. 

This courteous language — 

KING. 

Princess! your virtues all my love demand, 
Far short of that which fires the lover s heart, 
When nature wildly fans the flame. 

DONA BRANCA, 

My liege ! 

These gen'rous w^ords proclaim a heart sincere. 
You see your son cold to each blooming charm ; 
His callous heart denies the power of love : 
But by your kindness you relieve my woe, 
Yomself at once a father and a lover. 

KING. 

Dear Branca ! time, and that polite respect 
He owes to you, will teach his heart to love. 



ACT II. DE CASTRO. 49 

DONA BRANCA. 

O pardon me, my liege ! no more of this, 
But let my speedy absence be the theme. 

KING. 

Oh ! will you leave me then r 

DONA BRANCA. 

Unconquer'd king! 

Illustrious Alphonso ! Permit me now 

To unfold the cause of my departure ; 

And in the little time, that is allowed, 

To speak the sorrows of my heart. My liege ! 

At your request, a contract was agreed 

Between my brother and your majesty, 

That I should wed Don Pedro ; and with him 

Enjoy the honors of your house. For this 

I enter'd on my voyage, unhappy fate ! 

To suffer insult and the keenest grief. 

I sought the golden banks where Tajo's waves. 

Exulting, lash fair lisboa's happy walls. 

Your majesty with splendour took me in. 

But vain were all my hopes, and short my joys! 

I was prepared to give your son my hand, 

With it a heart tender and full of love ; 

But his affections were, alas ! engag'd. 

He never came to welcome me on shore, 



50 DONA IGNEZ ACT II, 

But I, from Lisbon to Mondego's vale, 

In search of him have journey 'd. These, my liege ! 

Were deeds before unknown, and quite averse 

To that civility to strangers due. 

I trust your majesty will not look on 

And see me wrong'd? The prince has told me all 

The sacred promises by which he's bound. 

The tale still rings with horror on my ear; 

I cannot tell it, but have felt it sore. 

Pardon, my gracious liege ! my ardent speech, 

For my full heart, which beat so high with love, 

Hath cause of much complaint against your son. 

I sought the palace w^here De Castro dw^ells, 

And there contempt was added to my w^oes. 

For Ignez, stealing on your tender heart 

With soft expressions, now subdues your wTath, 

And proudly boasts a victory complete. 

I told the prince my wrongs should be reveng'd, 

For, know% my liege ! I could no longer bear, 

To be the witness of my own disgrace. 

When I have left your kingdom, let the prince 

Declare his marriage to the public ear ; 

Perchance it may diffuse a general joy. 

And if, my liege ! you listen to her prayers, 

Why wish to stay my flight ? You rather ought 

To praise my piudence, than to wish delay. 

May heav n shower blessings on your kingly head. 

(Exit.) 



ACT II. DE CASTBO. 51 

KING. 

Stay ! princess, fly me not. Alvaro, haste ; 
Th' Infanta must not go. 

ALVARO GONSALVES. 

Beloved king, 

Consult the nation's welfare and your own. 

(Exit.) 

KING. 

How can I assume the judge severe, 
When all my feelings muster in her bause ? 
Far, far too well th' Infanta's wrongs I know,' 
Yet still the tears of Ignez fill my soul 
With pity for her wretched, mournful fate. 

EGAS COELHO. 

My liege ! The safety of the state demands 
The nuptials of the prince should be perform'd. 

KING. 

How Ignez loves my son ! What violence 
Must now be us'd ! Just heaven direct my hand, 
I know not how to act. 

EGAS COELHO. 

If Ignez lives 

Your efforts will be vain. 

g2 



52 DONA IGNEZ ACT II. 

KING. 

Then must she die ? 

EGAS COELHO. 

For one life spar'd, how many may be lost r 
Consider well, my liege! the kingdom's peace. 

KING. 

I fear it must be so. 

EGAS COELHO, 

Here comes the prince — 

KING. 

Now, Egas ! I must act an arduous task ; 

Put on the sullen gloom of majesty, 

And from my heart dismiss a parent's love. 

If by persuasion I can't win him o'er, 

Then shall he tremble underneath my power. 

Retiie until I call. 

EGAS COELHO. 

Our safety now 

Demands the nuptials of the prince. 

(Exit) 



ACT II. BE CASTRO. 53 

Enter the prince don pedro. 

DON PEDRO. 

My liege ! 

KING. 

What now ? 

DON PEDRO. 

G goodness ! What a frown is that ? 

KING. 

Speak, miscreant ! tell your wish. 

DON PEDRO. 

These frightful looks 

Choak up my speech, and bind my falt'Ving tongue. 

KING. 

This mild demeanour doth surprize me much, 
This apt obedience calls my wonder up. 
Do you remember what my orders are ; 
That, when to-morrow's sun shall gild the sky, 
The princess must be yours ? 

DON PEDRO. 

That ne'er can be. 



54 DONA IGNEZ ACT II, 

KING. 

Pedro ! ^Tis my command, and all your arts 
T' oppose my will are futile and absurd, 

DON PEDRO. 

A^hy do you wish to break the sacred tie, 

Which ought for ever to unite our hearts ? 

And where, but from his parent, should a son 

Implore sweet mercy in the hour of woe i 

Of whom but of a father pity ask 

T' absolve his crimes? But all my tears are vam; 

Severity has knitted up your brow. 

KING. 

You, Pedro ! are the cause of all my rage. 
And of your own misfortunes. W hen a son 
Shall dare to be ungrateful to his king, 
Justice shall take its course; paternal love 
Should ne'er oppose its sacred power. Pedro ! 
You know our laws, how truly just they are, 
And with what wisdom fram'd ? By them I rule, 
By them in all my actions must be sway'd. 

DON PEDRO. 

Ri^^our like this, my sire ! opposes all 
The throbs of nature and a father's love. 



ACT II. DE CASTRO. 55 

KING. 

When you forget your duty as a son, 
Then to my vassal I must give commands ; 
Loose all affection, which a parent feels, 
And as a monarch be severely just. 

DON PEDRO. 

What would you do? — Do you desire my death? 

If so, behold me prostrate at your feet ; 

Chastise me as the meanest of your slaves, 

I never shall forget that I'm your son. 

O Ignez ! What can now appease his rage ? 

Thou ne'er in thought or deed hast done him wrong. 

My wretched wife ! No grief can melt his heart, 

Or turn his thoughts from vengeance and thy death. 

KING. 

Unhappy Pedro ! I thy sorrows see. 

And from my soul I wish to ease thy grief. 

But how can I submit, who am his king. 

He my son and vassal. It cannot be — (Aside.) 

Pedro ! hear me, to delay these nuptials 

But increases more your crime. I cannot 

Violate my word, nor is it just I should. 

DON PEDRO. 

Not violate your word, my gracious liege ! 



56 DONA IGNEZ ACT II, 

Then how can I resolve my sacred vows ? 

My father ! See me kneehng at your feet, 

Then pierce, Oh ! pierce my heart, and let me die ; 

But urge me not to wed the princess Branca, 

An order which I never can obey. 

KING. 

Peace, rash boy ! Dare you to your sovereign speak 
In terms like these ? You know not that respect, 
Which, by the sacred laws that rule the world. 
Is due to majesty. — Who can safely live. 
Where mad rebellion tramples on the laws, 
i\nd riot and misrule their empire hold? 
And yet, how nature struggles in the breast. 
When fathers are to judge their ingrate sons. 
To day, I hear you've to the princess urg'd 
A thousand idle reasons to delay 
Your nuptials. Pedro ! I could never think. 
My orders thus you'd rashly disobey. 
Heaven grant ! in this I am deceiv'd, if not. 
Thy death, O wretched Ignez ! must ensue. 

DON PEDRO. 

Oh ! hold my liege, what furious spirit now 
Would hurry you to cruelty like this ? 
Ignez I made my spouse at love's command. 
And must her innocence absolve my fault? 



ACT II. DE CASTRO. 57 

^Twas I, who lur'd her virgin heart, ^twas I, 
Who led her from the flowVy walks of peace ; 
On me your vengeance hurl, on me alone. 

KING. 

Fir'd by her beauty, you have madly run 
From crime to crime, and disobey 'd my will ; 
For this 'tis right she dies. 

DON PEDRO. 

Merciful God ! 

Soon w ill your ire rebuke the bounteous hand, 

That spread such lavish beauties on her face. 

KING. 

What dost thou say, mad youth ! The hand of heav'n 
Gave her not beauty to disturb the state. 
I do command her death. 

DON PEDRO. 

Ah ! Is there then 
No hope for me? 

KING. 

My orders are, she dies. 

DON PEDRO. 

O deadly rage ! Oh, change this sad resolve ! 



58 DONA IGNEZ ACT II. 

KING. 

Never.— My mind is fixt, I am resolv'd. 
Deadly my rage shall be to her and you. 

DON PEDRO. 

Tho' by your stem decree she's doom'd to fall. 
Yet with my life I will defend my love. 

KING. 

And all thy fond endeavours will be vain. 

DON PEDRO. 

Ah ! will you bring perdition on your son. 

KING. 

A villain. 

DON PEDRO. 

A father's cruelty has made him so. 

KING. 

Peace, peace, rash boy ! correction shall descend 
On Igiiez, like red lightning fierce ; and thou, 
Whether it give thee death or endless woe, 
Shall never see a smile upon my face. 

DON PEDRO. 

Father or king, I care not ; midst this woe, 



ACT II. BE CASTRO. 59 

Nought but to save her life shall guide my thoughts ; 
And should she fell — 

KING. 

What— Do you threaten me? 

DON PEDRO. 

O my fether ! I know not what I do, 
For who can suffer such distressing grief, 
And wear a patient brow ? These cruel threats 
With horror shake my soul, and I forget 
Tlie strict obedience that I owe to you. 

KING, 

This is too much to bear : Coelho, here. 
Enter egas caELHOu. 

EGAS COELHOa 

Your majesty^s commands. 

KING. 

Conduct the prince 

A prisoner to the castle : See ^tis done. 

DON PEDRO. 

Have you all pity lost ? all tender love ? 

And does the father's blood run cold within your 



60 DONA IGNEZ 

KING. 

Yes I have lost all pity, and your crimes 
Have frozen all the father in my veins. 

DON PEDRO. 

Then if compassion will not Ignez spare, 
Away all filial love^ — affection hence. 

KING. 

Egas ! obey my orders. 

DON PEDRO. 

Oh! my sire! 

EGAS COELHO. 

My lord! To the castle — 

DON PEDRO, 

Peace, Coelho. 
O father ! hear me, 

KING. 

What now ? 

DON PEDRO, 

Spare her Ufe. 

KING. 

Ingrate! she dies. 1 do command her death. 



(Exit.) 



ACT II. DE CASTRO. 6l 

DON PEDRO. 

Oh ! horrid sentence ! sad distressing fate ! 
Where am I ? Who can comfort now afford? 
Or who console me now ? 

EGAS COELHO. 

Most august prince ! 

Your pleadings bring new vengeance on your head, 

Come, follow me — 

DON PEDRO. 

Enough ! — I know too well 

This slipp'ry courtier is my deadly foe. (Aside*) 

Am I then your prisoner? 

EGAS COELHO. 

You are. My prince ! 
The king commanded so ; his orders were 
That I should guard your highness to the tower. 
A trust impos'd for loyalty to the state. 

DON PEDRO. 

Yes, yes, he did intrust you with the charge. 

A day of sadness 'tis to me ; but, dread ! 

In gloom to-morrow's sun may hide its beams. 



62 DONA IGNEZ ACT II. 

EGAS COELHO. 

Glooms may arise, disgrace may ruin bring ! 

But Portugal my loyalty shall have, 

Whether the morning lower, or smile in peace. 

DON PEDRO. 

Obey your orders,- — ^lead me to the castle. 

EGAS COELHO. 

My lord ! — (Exit, bowing.) 

DON PEDRO. 

Ignez ! Who shall now advise thee ; 
Who tell thee of the dangers that surround thee? 
Yes ! — breaking thro^ the prison gates, my love, 
Amid the friendly gloom of night I'll come, 
To save thy life, or suffer in thy cause. 

(Exit.) 



ACT II* BE CASTRO. 63 

ACT !!• SCENE 11. 

The open Country. 
Enter 

liONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO, AND VIOLANTE. 



VIOLANTE. 



If you would not wish to meet the princess, 
Retire into the Quinta, ere she comes. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Indeed I dread to meet her, yet my heart, 
Tho' thus cast down, rejoices in the hope. 
That from the royal chace the prince returns. 

VIOLANTE. 

The huntsmen this way lead. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

And comes the prince? 
Is Pedro in the train ? 

VIOLANTE. 

Why so anxious? 



64 DONA IGNEZ ACT IK 

BONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

O Violante! I've a woeful heart, 

When he is absent, sadness glooms the hours. 

VIOLANTE. 

The royal guards approach. Shall we retire ? 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

My anxious eyes cannot behold my love. 
Heavens! Where is my Pedro? Where is my lord? 

ViOLANTE. 

In converse with a knight, whose goodly form 
Stands first amid the throng, the princess comes. 
Dear madam ! they approach us very near. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

My feelings tell me I should not retire. 

VIOLANTE. 

Where can you patience find to speak with her? 
Who, in the presence of the king, to day 
Exulted o'er you with a laugh of scorn. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Ill mildly try to soften down her rage, 
And win her savage spirit into peace j 



ACT II. DE CASTRO* 66 

Before her feet 111 fall to plead my cause, . 
And make my direst enemy my friend. 

VIOLANTE. 

The king beheld yon with a gentle eye, 
Why ask her pity or her anger dread ? 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

With secret wiles she may pervert his thoughts, 
And change the love he shew'd me into hate. 

VIOLANTE. 

I ne'er w^ould stoop her pity to implore, 
Yourself her equal both in rank and beauty. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Tho' I m her equal, I must ask her aid ; 
Now in the prime of life, and married to 
The heir apparent of the Lusian throne, 
A deed, alas! unsanction'd by the state, 
Envy pursues me, and I'm compass'd round 
By minions that w^ould glory in my fall. 

VIOLANTE. 

Dear madam ! see, she comes. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

O bear me up 

Ye trembling limbs, and lie thou still my heart ! 
I 



66 DONA lONEZ ACT ll. 

Enter the infanta dona branca, alvaro 

GONSALVES, and SOLDIERS. 
DONA BRANCA. 

The intreaties of the king shall then prevail : 
Not that my heart can boast of any hope. 

ALVARO GONSALVES. 

His majesty has graciously declared, 
To-morrow's sun shall on your nuptials shine. 

DONA BRANCA. 

I dare not on his promises confide. 

ALVARO GONSALVES. 

Princess ! Dona Ignez comes. 

DONA BRANCA. 

Alvaro ! 

I will not see that face, whose piteous looks 

Can gain upon the mercy of the king ; 

Whose beauties thus have dar'd to rob my peace, 

And blast my hopes. 

ALVARO GONSALVES. 

Revenge will follow soon. 



ACT II. DE CASTRO. 67 

DONA BRANCA. 

Come, Alvaro! for I must not see her, 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Most beauteous princess ! I permission crave, 
With rev'rence, to salute your royal hand. 

(Krteels.) 

DaNA BRANCA. 

Now I'll be reveng'd.— With seeming pleasure, 

At first ril listen ; then with galling words 

ril harrow up her souL (Aside.) Rise Dona Ignez ! 

It is not fit, that one, I hold so dear. 

Should humbly kneel. I must not see you thus. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

I'm quite o'erpower'd with pleasure^ when I thij^. 
That you, Signora! in these lovely walks. 
Should such attention and such kindness shew. 

BONA l^RANCA. 

Thus honor'd with your presence, I must feel 
Myself your debtor. 

VIOLANTE. 

So far, all is well. (Jdde.} 



68 t)ONA IGNSZ ACT II. 

DONA BRANCA. 

How sad would be that face, eclips'd those eyes, 

Did she but kuow her lord a pris'ner is ! 

But, thus my hate disguis'd, I'll know each thought, 

Each secret winding of her tim'rous heart. (Aside,) 

How can I thank you for this great respect, 

Or e'er express the gratitude I owe ? 

And yet, niethinks, e'en now some secret woe 

Is lurking in your breast. Tell your sorrows, 

And if my power can minister relief, 

I'll find some precious balm to heal them up. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Can this be feign'd? No, no. — My heart is strong. 

(Aside.) 

DONA BRANCA. 

Ignez ! Do I not deserve, to hear 
Your sorrow, and participate your grief? 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Illustrious Infanta ! None more than you 

Can now obliterate the paogs I feel. 

Your virtues and your power combin'd, with ease 

Could change to joy the sorrows that consume me. 

DONA BRANCA. 

1 know the wishes of thy wicked heart, 



ACT II. BE CASTRO. 69 

But ignVance must be feign'd, until the hour. 
When vengeance, arm'd with cruel words, shall strike 
Thy soul with horrors, which it dreamt not of. 

(Aside.) 
Tell me, Ignez! How can I assist you. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Oh, my timorous heart ! 

DONA BRANCA. 

Dismiss your fears, 

And every wish with confidence unfold. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

To crown my wishes and dismiss my fears. 
Would add new lustre to your glorious name, 
And all the w^orld your goodness would applaud. 
With tears and pray'rs your pity I implore, 
Oh, do not urge your nuptials with the prince. 
Nor rend two hearts united by the ties 
Of sacred love ! I know you are benign. 

DONA BRANCA. 

Peace, Ignez, peace ! These words offend me much. 
Dare you thus openly declare your crimes ? 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Crimes, Signora! alas! you judge — 



70 


DONA IGNEZ 




DONA BRANCA. 


No more. 





ACT II. 



DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Merciful heavens ! my error has been great ; 

By her dissembled goodness, thus led on, 

To open all the secrets of my heart. (Aside,) 

DONA BRANCA. 

How shall I stifle rage ? (Aside^) 

VIOLANTE. 

At first, her looks 

Beam'd the mild rays of charity, but now. 

Dark hate and pride sit scowling on her brow. 

(Aside,) 

DONA BRANCA. 

Ignez ! By loving you the prince has lost 
His father's favor; and, by liis command, 
He must to-morrow give his hand to me. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 
Oh! 

DONA BRiANQA* 

His temerity so vex'd? diQ king, 



Act II. DE CAStfeO. 71 

That by his orders, he to-day is sent 
A prisoner to the castle. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Mighty heavens ! 
What do I hear? 

DONA BRANCA. 

When morn, w ith golden hand, 
Leads forth her bridegroom from the purple east, 
Through all the valleys, acclamations loud 
And din of shouting pop'lace shall proclaim 
My marriage with the prince, and general joy. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Oh! I have borne enough! Can you delight 

To drive your murdVing arrows thro' my heart? — 

But I'll no longer with complaisance standi 

The sport of infamy and jest of pride. (Aside,) 

DONA BRANCA. 

Dismiss all hope, for it is truly vain : 
Reflect upon the diff'rence of our ranks, 
And never dare again to vie with me. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Know you from whom my lineage I derive ? 



72 DONA IGNEZ ACT II. 

DONA BRANCA. 

Wherefore ask me that? 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

If you knew my birth, 

You would not thus look on me with disdain, 

Altho' I've kneel'd and humbly ask'd your aid. 

DONA BRANCA. 

That you are Dona Ignez de Castro, 
Well I know. In me, behold a princess, 
The Infanta of Navarre. If your face 
Can boast of beauties I do not possess, 
I can to pedigree appeal. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Princess ! 

I see contempt and hate do guide your thoughts, 

Unconscious of the blood fi*om whence I spring. 

I will not claim my rivalship in charms. 

But own myself your equal as to birth. 

DONA BRANCA. 

How? 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Yes, 'tis true. — I will defend my rights. 



ACT II. BE CASTHO. 75 

DONA BRANCA. 

^ O Ignez, stay thy flight, nor headstrong tempt 
The sun's meridian height ; lest, hke that youth, 
Whose darins: mind soar'd up to heav n and seiz'd 
The fiery horses of the east, you fall 

K 

♦ The following is a literal translation of this, and two other 
passages, after the speech of Dona Ignez de Castro. 

Dona Branca — Dona Ignez! Stay your flights and return 
to your proper situation. Let this advice and striking exam- 
ple serve you for correction. A White Heron (Branca 
GARgA,) the daughter of the lightness of the winds, flew so 
high one day, as if it pretended to nicely examine the bright- 
ness of the sun. A proud camelopardf provoked at her dar- 
ing boldness, tore her in pieces — a chastisement for her high 
flights. I intend to warn you that the fall is dangerous from 
lofty heights. 

Dona Branca — What rashness! recollect the fall of the 
Heron. 

Dona Ignez — But I remember you said it was a White 
Heron, that made such daring flights. 

It will easily be perceived, that the play upon the words 
Branca and Gar9a (alluding to the name of the Infanta and 
the appellation of Dona Ignez de Castro, see p. 17,) are inad- 
missible into an English translation ; similar puns and witti- 
cisms are frequently introduced into the tragedies of the 
Spanish and Portuguese writers. 

f In the original Xarifalte, This word is not to be 
found in the Portuguese or Spanish dictionaries, but in the 



I 



74 BONA IGNEZ ACT II. 

Reft of those blooining honors, which your heart 
Had fondly fancied you e'en now possessed. 

ALVARO GONSALVES. 

This speech is worthy of the Infanta. (Aside.) 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Princess ! With all respect your birth demands, 

Permit me to require you will not thus, 

By false comparisons, my rank traduce. 

I'm Dona Ignez de Castro. In Spain 

E'en from my youth have I been fam'd for charms, 

Of which till now I never made a boast ; 

From Pedro de Castro my birth I claim, 

As did an only sister, who was queen 

Of all the fair domains of proud Castile. 

My brothers now^ ^^"joy the rank you bear; 

And from a line of kings, whose mighty deed3 

Illustrious shine, in right descent I come. 

If you set forth your title of Navarre, 

Arahico<-Latinum Lexicon of Golhis we find Zeraif or Xeraif 
Camelopardalis unde Hup. Girafa, life. From this it is most pro- 
bable that Xarif-alte is a corruption of the Arabic Xeraif, 
joined to some Portuguese word, to which the adjective Alto, 
signifying lofty, approaches nearest; and from the cameJopard 
having an extraordinary long neck, we may imagine this to be 
the meaning of the author. Arabic words are common in the 
Portuguese lan^age. 



ACT II. DE CASTRO. 75 

I stand here piincess royal of Portugal, 
The lawful consort of the prince. I now 
Declare my marriage heretofore conceal'd. 
To all the sarcasms that your hate may showier 
On IgneZ; as Don Pedro's wife 111 speak. 

ALVARO GONSALVES. 

What pride ! 

DONA BRANCA, 

Nay stop thy rashness Dona IgneZ; for — 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO.- 

Believe me, princess! that your keen reproach 
Has forc'd the sharp expressions I have us'd ; 
You know not that the blood, whose vital power 
This body animates, is near allied 
To that which flows in Dona Branca veins. 

let me not suppose it your desire. 

To see, unmov'd, the sorrows of a wretch, 
Whose only hope of safety now depends 
On one, who in the hour when dangers rise 
Would boldly o'er her spread the shield of love ; 
But now in fetters in a dungeon Hes. 

1 had some hopes from you, but now, alas ! 
I see my doom is seal'd, and I must fall. 

I will withdraw; I'm hateful in your sight. 



76 DONA IGlsEZ ACT II, 

May heav'n bless you, and strengthen my poor heart ! 

Violante, let me seek my tender babes, 

Amidst this shock of misery I'll find 

Some comfort in their innocence and smiles. 

(Exeunt Dona Ignez de Castro and Violante.) 

DONA BRANCA. 

Alvaro! Is this the ease I hop'd for? 

ALVARO GONSALVES. 

Gentle princess ! yet have patience, for sooft 
Your many injuries shall be reveng'd. 

DONA BRANCA. 

Oh! talk not thus; no more I'll hear re\^nge. 
My absence now alone can heal the wound. 
Vengeance shall cease. — Come, lead me to the king, 
Before the prince I will renounce my claims. 

(Exit.) 



ALVARO GONSALVES. 

O Portugal I thy safety now 1 fear. 



(iaii.) 



ACT II. DE CASTRO. 77 



ACT IL SCENE IE. 



A lighted Hall. 



Enter 

DONA IGNES DE CASTRO AND VIOLANTE. 



VIOLANTE. 

Dearest Signora ! I have always said, 

Your kind expressions would conclude in tears. 

Th' Infanta's heart is harder than a rock, 

And all endeavours to subdue her hate 

Are idle as his rage who chides the deep. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

I never thought my humbleness would be 
Returned with scorn. 

VIOLANTK. 

You might as well attempt 
To soothe the rabid bowlings of a wolf 
To gentle fawnings, as her nature change. 
Have you not felt the arrows of her wrattif 



78 DONA IGNEZ ACT II. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Passion too highly buoy'd me up, but then, 
Who in a state so dismal could have stood 
Unmov'd and patient. O unhappy prince ! 
A prison's gloomy walls enclose thee now. 
Who shall assistance bring, or save me from • 
Th' accusations of those bloody tyrants, 
Who, ever near the person of the king, 
May gain their savage will and urge my death? 

VIOLANTE. 

Soft ! I hear some one approaches. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Alas! 

VIOLANTE. 

Be not distressed, I'll go and bring you word. 

(Exit.) 

Enter the prince. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

What do I see? 

DON PEDRO. 

Come to these arms, my life I 



ACT II. DE CASTRO. 79 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

My prince! my lord! 

DON PEDRO. 

Thou sum of all my bliss. 

But let's begone, delay might cost us dear. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Whence are thy fears? Thy sadly alter'd mein 
Portends some rising storm ; and great indeed 
Must be the tempest that can make thee shrink, 
And fill thy manly soul with fears like these. 

DON PEDRO. 

To save thy life, for death thy step attends. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Tlien let me fall and all thy cares will cease. 

DON PEDRO. 

Not SO, my love ! how cruel was that speech 1 . 
My life's so link'd to thine, my dearest Ignez! 
Whate'er befals thee is our common lot. 
What cruelty then in thee to wish for death ? 
Come, let us lose not now the precious time, 
This moment is propitious to our lives. 
My father issu'd orders for my seizure, 



80 DONA IGNEZ ACT II. 

And threatens you, my only joy, with death : 
I came to save and to defend thy life, 
Let not my efforts in thy cause be vain. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO, 

And whither, Pedro ! would you wish to fly ? 

DON PEDRO. 

Where'er the busy fates may guide our steps, 
Where, without fear, I may in peace enjoy, 
The sweetest treasure that delights my soul. 
Among the rugged mountains let us rove. 
Unmindful of our former pomp and splendour ; 
Companions of the shepherds let us hve, 
Innocent, tho' poor, we'll lead a happy life. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

O Pedro ! I must here resist thy love. 

It is not just that I should e'er consent, 

That you, amid the horrors that distract 

The state, and all your aid and care demand, 

Should royalty renounce and pomp of courts. 

O'er wilds and dreary wastes to roam with me. 

Make peace, my love ! and let me leave thee here ; 

But let me take my babes, where'er I am. 

Their lovely smiles some comfort will afford ; 

With them I'll seek the wood's dark gloom; and there, 



ACT II. BE CASTRO, 81 

Amid the bowlings of the savage beasts, 

With pray'rs I'll call tb' avenging hand of heaven 

Upon those cool bloodthirsty tyrants, who, 

With such success, have torn our hearts with woe* 

I and my children, poor wandVing outcasts, 

Will teach the world the vanity of all 

Tb' enchanting hopes of joy, which love dictates, 

When cross'd by adverse fate. Thus I'll escape 

The savage persecutions of the king. 

O purest faith ! guard me in this retreat, ^ 

Make me still grateful for my Pedro's love ; 

And let that precious hand, which, on the day 

That join'd our hearts, you gave, be ever mine. 

And if perchance, my prince ! the time shall come, 

When you in majesty shall wear the crown. 

Then, mindful of our loves, let me return 

To share thy honours, to thy lov'd embrace. 

And, O my Pedro ! I shall die content. 

DON PEDRO. 

Beauteous Ignez, dry up these woeful tears; 
Why wish to kill me with this mournful tale ? 
Is't not enough, that with the wiles of love 
You steal away my soul ? But Ignez, come ! 
Fly, fly the dangers that surround thy life. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

And you, my Pedro — 



82 DONA IGNEZ ACT II. 

DON PEDRO. 

Ne'er will leave you more. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

These cruel traitors, to whose accusations 
Your father lends a w illing, listening ear — 

DON PEDRO. 

Fear them not, my love ! my arm protects thee. 
These savage tyrants soon shall feel my ire, 
And one day shrink beneath my just revenge. 
My life! I'll lead thee. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Where are my children ? 

DON PEDRO. 

Their tender looks have won my father's heart, 
And they would now impede our flight. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Alas! 

I cannot leave them. Alphonso, Diniz — 

(Calling them,) 

DON PEDRO. 

Will you not resolve? Why wish to make me 
Hateful in my father's sight. 



ACT II. BE CASTRO, 83 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

O my babes! 

DON PEDRO. 

Hark ! I hear a step in th* adjoining hall. 
Enter the constable. 

CONSTABLE. 

Your highness ! — 

DON PEDRO. 

What now ? 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO, 

O my prophetic thoughts ! 

DON PEDRO. 

Your message speak, make haste ! 

CONSTABLE. 

Unconquer'd prince ! 

Obedience ne'er so heavy on me sat — 

DON PEDRO, 

What is your errand? I lose all patience. 

CONSfABLE. 

The king; relying on my former deeds, 

L^ 



84 BONA IGNEZ ACT II* 

Imposed this heavy duty on his slave, 
To reconduct you to the castle. Prince I 
My soul is harrow'd up with grief, for I 
Must now throw off obedience to my king^ 
Or else be odious to the prince I love. 

DON PEBRO. 

Constable! retire. 

CONSTABLE. 

My lord! behold me 

Thus kneeling at your feet, with all the due 

Respect I owe your rank ; but, remember, 

I am the humble servant of the king ; 

You are his son ; his orders disobey'd. 

Your highness may be free ; I must be blamed. 

DON PEDRO. 

Constable ! If I resist the orders^ 
Then you are not to blame. 

CONSTABLE. 

By resistance. 

Prince ! you to no effect your crime increase* 
No sooner did the news of your escape 
Come to your father's ears, than all in rage 
Gonsalves and myself were quick dispatch'd 



ACT II. DE CASTRO. 85 

To take you. Now all hope* of flight are vain, 
For -Alvaro with choicest guards begirts 
The palace round and stops each avenue. 
To fly were death. His majesty is near. 

DON PEDRO. 

My father*s cruelty then desires my death, 
1 shall be lost, for now my heart is torn 
With sense of duty, and with sense of Icie. 

CONSTABLE. 

My lord! 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Dearest Pedro ! 

DON PEDRO. 

I'm distracted. 

DONA IGNEZ BE CASTRO. 
Oh, my love ! 

DON PEDRO. 

Beloved Ignez, let us fly ! 

(Draws his sword.) 

CONSTABLE. 

But whither? — 



86 DONA IGNEZ ACT II. 

Will his passion lead him to destruction ? 

DON PEDRO. 

Conipar'd with this eternity of woe, 
What is the dread of death ? We die but once, 
And, when we die, our cares and sorrows cease. 
O Ignez, let us fly ! 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

No, no; my love! 

DON PEDRO. 

Do you hesitate ? 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Pedro ! hear me first. 

That heart is not sincere, which would not strive 
T' avert the storm, and not endanger thus 
The object of its love. 

DON PEDRO. 

My ev'ry thought 

Is for thy safety. Can you doubt my love? 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

1 can't consent. 



ACT II. BE CASTRO, 87 

• DON PEDRO. 

Oh ! then you wish to die. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

'Tis but to save thy Hfe I wish to die. 
No hopes are left, we never can escape 
The vengeance of the king, whose soldiers now 
This place surround. Whatever way we go 
Grim danger stares. Behold me ready then 
With blood to bathe the altars of revenge, 
And sacrifice my life in your defence : 
To ease thy woes, with pleasure I will die. 

DON PEDRO. 

I will have no reply. — ^That ne'er shall be. 

CONSTABLE. 

My lord! 

DON PEDRO. 

Whoe'er shall dare to stay our flight. 
His hfe for his presumption shall atone. 

Enter ^Ae king. 

KING. 

1 stay thy flight, rash youth! fulfil thy word; 
And let thy dagger drink thy father's blood. 



83 DONA IGNEZ ACT II, 

DON PEDEO. 

O heavens, distraction ! 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

O distressing scene ! 

KING. 

Yes, sheath thy dagger in thy father's breast ; 

Be Nero-like, a parricide accurs'd. 

What stops thy impious hand, inhuman wretch ? 

DON PEDRO. 

O father, father ! I am lost indeed, 
And all the stars upon my fortune lower. 
Behold me prostrate at your feet, to crave 
Your pardon, and deliver up my sword. 

KING. 

Conduct the prince close pris'ner to the tower ; 
Double the guards and ev'ry pass secure. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

O mighty potentate ! on me alone 
Let all the fury of your anger rage, 
Who am the author of the prince's crimes. 

KING. 

Peace, I'll no more. 



ACT II. DE CASTRO. SQ 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Spurn me not, my liege ! 

Let me not plead in vain! Let not revenge 

O'ercome the M^onted feelings of your breast! 

DON PEDRO. 

angels ! aid her prayer. 

KING. 

Be firm my heart, 

And in this awful trial bear me up. (Aside.) 

All thoughts of pity from my breast are fled; 
With scorn have alt my mandates been contemn'd, 
And you (to Ignez) th' Infanta's rage with keen re- 
proach 
And contumelious menaces have rous'd. 

DON PEDRO. 

Egas Coelho, Signer, gave me freedom, 
And yet the traitor doth accuse me now. 

KING. 

He could not do it, strict my orders were; 

1 knew thy temper, and I fear'd tlie worst. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

If with opprobrious words and keen reproach 

M 



2!k., 



90 DONA IGNEZ ACT II. 

I did insult th' Infanta of Navarre, 

They were the offspring of an injur'd breast; 

My blood revolted at her foul abuse, 

Allied to you by family and birth, 

The insults I receiv'd, I counted yours. 

KING. 

Could ought but keen revilings be your hope, 
When thus you stand between her and her joys, 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Her's was a darker crime. She ne'er could think, 
That I'd with timid apathy resign 
To her my lawful rights. I ever must 
From calumny protect our marriage vows, 
Register'd in heav'n and grav'n on our hearts. 

KING. 

I've heard you, and I tremble for your fate. 

Not all the tender eloquence of woe, 

Nor all th' enchantments that your lips can breathe, 

Can move me to compassionate your lot. 

And as against the honour of my throne. 

With secret wiles, this union has been made. 

By law I must resolve it in the grave. 

DON PEDRO. 

O my sire ! 



ACT II. DE CASTRO, ^1 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

My lord! 

KING. 



Leave me. 



CONSTABLE. 



my liege ! 

It grieves me much to see you thus ; I know 
These heavy troubles hasten on your death, 

1 see your bosom agoniz'd with grief. 

And with the people, who all know your love. 
Wish to preserve a sovereign just and good. 

KING. 

Conduct the prince according to my orders, 
And let this quinta be beset with guards. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO*^ 

Heavens ! will you take my life ? 

KING. 

I condemn thee. 

DON PEDRO. 

Then with my life will I protect her. 



92 BONA IGNEZ ACT II. 

CONSTABLE. 

Prince ! 

To the castle. 

DON PEDRO. 

What savage law is this? 

KING, 

A law that soon shall executed be. 

DON PEDRO. 

ril see it not; but if it be enforc'd, 

Revenge shall wade with me in seas of blood. 

CONSTABLE. 

I never saw a scene 
So sad as this. 

DON PEDRO. 

Farewell, my life, my love ! 

(Exeunt Pedro and Constable,) 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

O Pedro, my beloved lord ! (Exit.) 

KING. . 

This scene, where woe presides, doth rend my heart 
How hard my fate, a father and a judge. (Exit.) 

End of Act Second. 



ACT III. BE CASTKO. 93 



ACT III. SCENE I. 

A Hall in the Palace of Dona Ignez de Castro, 
Efiter 

THE KING, ALVARO GONSALVES, EGAS 

COELHO, and guards. 



KING. 

Let all the turbulence of passion now 
Subside, and reason firmly take her seat. 
To day your council must decide the fate 
Of Dona Ignez. Soldiers, all retire. 
A case like this demands the nicest care, 
That scrupulous justice, which should ever rule 
A monarch's actions and a powerful state. 
Dismiss all love or hatred from your breasts, 
And with impartial council let me hear 
The fate of Dona Ignez. Certain things 
There are, however, which 'tis right you know. 
Know then, that we and our illustrious queen, 
In whom so many virtues are combined. 
For long, in vain, have sought the fairest means^ 



94 DONA IGNEZ ACT III, 

To shun this mournful tragedy; but all 
His mother's kind persuasion and advice 
And all our sternest threats were vainly urg'd, 
T^ overcome the disposition of the prince. 
Before his wild rebellion, which suspends 
Portentous clouds of danger o'er the state. 
But Reason's sight is dim when Beauty's eye 
Soft rapture kindles in the youthful heart. 
I have forbodings oft, that, when I'm dead, 
The eloquence of Ignez may succeed 
To place her children on the Lusian throne. 
And thus exclude Fernando from his right. 
Should power become a minister to will. 
What evil consequences may not rise! 
I ask your council, but in mem'ry bear. 
No partial judgment is to guide your thoughts. 
Let us dissolve this miion ; but call up 
No secret prejudice or stern decree 
Against the life of Ignez. 

AI^V^RO GONSALVES. 

Weighing well 

The sad events which one day might alarro 

The constitutioja's peace and vex the state. 

My fixt opinion is we should remove 

The cause, for with the cause would die th' effeet* 

Petitions pres^ted by the people, 



ACT 111. DE CASTRO. 95 

Nor yet the strong intreaties of the queen, 
Nor yet his sire's rebukes can move the prince. 
How strong the force of beauty, in a fair 
Whom we have long admir'd, we all agree. 
The sad events, which in Castile befel 
Your daughter, by Bllinor'^ the mistress 
Of Alonso, fresh in your mem'ry stands ; 
How, with a youthful lover's ardent zeal, 
All arts destructive were in secret tried 
To strangle in the womb her son, who born 

* EUinor Nunnez de Guzman, mistress of Alonso XL of 
Castile, who was married to Mary, daughter of the king of 
Portugal, Don John Emanuel, of the blood royal of Castile, 
had a daughter named Constance, who was contracted to the 
prince Don Pedro of Portugal, however the match was a long 
time delayed by the Castilian monarch, who betrothed himself 
to her, and leaving her, married the princess Mary of Portu- 
gal. Mary was cruelly used by Alonso, who treated her as a 
concubine, and the lady Ellinor as queen. Don John, desir- 
ous of revenge on the king of Portugal for marrying the 
princess Mary to Alonso, and defeating the alliance of his 
daughter Constance with that monarch, tried every measure 
in his power to persuade the lady Ellinor to prevail upon 
Alonso to annul his marriage with Mary, and marry her; to 
justify which, he said the king and queen were within the for- 
bidden degrees of consanguinity. Ellinor, however, consider- 
ing the danger of rising from a mistress to a queen, slighted 
his advice, by which means the evil designs of Don John were 
frustrated. Constance was afterwards married to Don Pedro. 

Faria y Sousa. 



96 DONA IGNEZ A-CT III, 

Alive was heir unto the Spanish crown. 
The sad remembrance of this deadly scene, 
My liege ! inspires me w ith the wish t' avert 
A like event ; that Portugal may not 
In Dona Ignez and the prince behold 
Such dire examples. Send her to Castile, 
Where, distant from the prince, she may reside 
Beneath her brothers' care. Thus without death 
The kingdom's safety may be still preserv'd. 

EGAS COELHO. 

My thoughts, my liege ! are not alike to these. 
Absence would but increase Don Pedro's love, 
And who can then secure your majesty 
Against the machinations of the prince. 
Are not her brothers' powerful in Castile ? 
Rous'd by the ambitious wish to see a crown 
Circle their sister's forehead, might they not 
By council urge the prince to rise in arms? 
Her death at once would make the state secure. 

ALVARO GONSALVES* 

The dreadful scene that Egas would present. 

Of riot and rebellioii stalking round 

Our desolated villages and towns. 

Strikes horror to my heart. I join with you, 

Coelho, that ^tis proper one should die, 



ACT III. DE CASTRO. 07 

To keep inviolate the kingdom's peace, 

KING. 

moumfiil fate ! 1 fear it must be so; 
Thy safety, Portugal, demands her death. 
Oh, would to God, I ne'er had been a king 
To sit as judge and pass this cruel sentence. 
But there's no remedy. 

EGAS COELHO. 

1 fear ^tis so. 

KING. 

Then must she die ? 

ALVARO GONSALVES. 

The public voice demands 
This sacrifice of blood. 

KING. 

Wretched Ignez ! 

O what malignant star guided thy step 

To Portugal? alas! to suffer death, 

And be a sad example to thy sex. 

The beauteous victim now before us call. 

(Exit. Egas Coelho.) 

N 



98 DOKA IGNEZ ACT III. 

KING. 

Unhappy Beauty ! who could e'er suppose 
That thou could'st be a crime deserving death. 
Unwelcome dowry, nature's worst of gifts ! 
Ah, what avails to wear the grace of heav'n, 
That in the jocund morn thy sun should beam 
Such bright efHilgence round, if thus to be 
The mouniful prelude to a gloomy night 
Closing in heaviest woe ! 

ALVARO GONSALVES. 

If your heart melts 

To see her sorrows, how shall we perfonn 

The execution of this just decree. 

KING. 

Alvaro ! you have lately seen me in 
The dreadful office of a judge, but still 
The arms of pity twine around my sou!. 
Upon her beauties I must shed a tear. 
And feel compassion for her fallen state. 

Enter dona ignez de castro with her 

CHiLDEEN, and EGAS COELHO. 
DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

I now behold the end of all my w^oes 
Rushing with hc«:r<M: on my dismal view. 



ACT IIU DE CAStKC^ 9&^ 

KING. 

The pallid colour of her cheek betrays 

The bitter pangs that shake her anguish'd soul. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

My honored king, my liege ! what means all this ? 
Why thus employ an armed force against 
A poor defenceless woman, who now bends 
With tears imploring mercy at your feet. 
What cruelty is this ! Perchance you thought 
Resistance w^ould be made ; but 'tis not so. 
A frowning look of anger from that face 
Would soon o ercome a frame so weak as mine ; 
Beauty, my liege, is but a poor defence 
Against the powerful arm of tyranny. 
Shall the bright sword, sharp'd for the flinty heart, 
Out of its scabbard flash, and crimson grow 
With female blood ? Whoever could have thought, 
That rous'd with anger you would hurl revenge 
On one, whose sex demands your kind protection? 
You, who in battle have so oft been known 
To grant your pardon to the prostrate Moor, 
Will you shew mercy to all else but me? 
And is my destiny so firmly fix'd, 
That it your wonted clemency can change ? 
If all my lamentation cannot move 
Your soul to pity, let my children plead 
n2 



100 DONA IGNEZ ACT IIK 

Their mother's cause, and mix their mournful cries 
With tears of innocence. O hear, my Uege ! 
The guileless suppliants, whom I now present^ 
The witnesses of what are call'd my crimes, 
And pleaders of the pardon which I crave. 

DON ALPHONSO. 

O do not hurt my mother, for her love 
To us is great. But she is still in tears. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

heavens ! inspire thy tongue to move his souL 

KING. 

Dona Ignez! ^tis just I shew my rage; 
Your sighs and tears are all in vain. Of such 
Distractions in the state have you been cause. 
That now the public voice demands your death. 
^Tis Pedro's love for you his marriage bars, 
So greedily desir'd by all the realm. 
And yet I wish to save thy life from all 
The pressing dangers that surround thee now^.. 

1 see but one way which can turn thy fate ; 
Resolve this hated union with my son, 

He then, perhaps, th' Infanta may espouse. 
And; peace restored, you may escape with lifeo 



ACT III. DE CASTRO. 101 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

This is the envy of the unstable crowd; 
But death alone can lose the sacred tie, 
Which at the holy altar join'd our hearts. 

KING. 

The holy church its sanction ne'er would give, 
For, by its canons, being so near in blood, 
Your marriage is illegal. Ought you not 
Therefore to dissolve this union. The state 
Annuls it, and divorce need not be us'd. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Before we ratified the vows, my liege. 
Which made me Pedro's wife, he my husband 
All ties of consanguinity w^e los'd. 
And bound our hearts in firmest chains of love. 

KING. 

What hast thou said? unhappy Ignez, thus 
Thou passest condemnation on thyself. 
I cannot help thee now. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO* 

O wretched fate! 

What — shall the just defence I wish to make, 

Become a crime to aid the will of them 



102 DONA IGNEZ ACT 111. 

Whose savage persecutions seek my life ? 
Have you not now my kindred to you own'df 
And to escape the ruin, whose chill storms 
Now darkens o'er my head, shall I become 
Unworthy of your race ? What tyranny ! 
What savage law is this, that trampling thus 
On virtue's holy vesture seals my doom ? 
Th' anxiety, unspotted to preserve my name 
By calumny, is construed into crime* 

KING. 

This sense of honor I must still commend, 
I praise your virtue and lament your fate. 

EGAS COELHQ. 

My liege! my lord. (Aside.) 

ALVAPtO GONSALVES. 

This meeting doth portend 

No good. (Aside.) My liege! 'twere best you should 
retire. 

KING. 

Beloved Ignez, my daughter, O heavens! 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO*^ 

Am I not lost? 



ACT 111* DE CASTRO. 105 

KING. 

Not SO, my child! heav'n knows 

Thy sorrows giieve me much, and with what force 

Pity still intercedes to save thy life. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Take, O take compassion on me, Sigiior ! 

KING. 

How can I shew mercy, when the towns 
Of all the nation echo forth your crime, 
And ev'ry voice is clam'rous for your death. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

O wretched Ignez ! — O beloved babes ! 

My weary eyes, grown dim with ceaseless tears, 

Your harmless visages can scarcely view. 

O sorrowful time ! yet but a little hour. 

And then, to all their tyranny adieu. 

But terror fills my bosom, and I feel 

Tlie hand of death comes chilly o'er my frame. 

heav'n be kind ! The clemency of man 
And ev'ry liuman succour is denied. 

DON ALPHCNSO. 

If you don't pity on my mother take, 

1 will no longer be your friend. 



104 DONA IGNEZ ACT III. 

KING. 

There's now 

No remedy. Take the children hence ! 

ALVARO GONSALVES and EGAS COELHO. 

Come, 
Princes ! 

DON ALPHONSO. 

O let us with my mother stay. 

I'll tell my father all your cruel treatment. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Take my children from me ! cruelty refin'd ! 
. O do not make me feel a thousand deaths. 
Restore my children to my longing arms, 
Nor thus with tyranny my bosom rend. 

KING. 

O heavens, what torments now press on my soul. 
Alvaro and Coelho your task perform. 
My eyes cannot look on and see her die. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

Will you leave me with these savage tyrants ? 
P wretched fate ! Oh ! what impiety is this ! 
Release me, tyrants ! give me to my babes. 



ACT III. DE CASTRO. 105 

Return my children to my sad embrace, 
And in their presence let me close my eyes. 
My heart grows faint. 

KING. 

Come Alphonso, Diniz. 

(Takes them hy the hand,) 

DON ALPHONSO. 

Beloved mother, farewell ! my grand sire 
Drags me from you. 

DONA IGNEZ DE CASTRO. 

IVIy sweet delights, my babes ! 
When time shall steal upon your infant years, 
The mem'ry of your mother's woes and all 
The savage pangs which tore my tender heart 
Will rush with bitter horror on your thouglits. 
And against you, who, deaf to pity's voice, 

(To the king.) 
Now cut me off when in the prinie of life. 
Unto th' avenging throne of heav'n I call ; 
Against whose judgments there is no appeal, 
AMiere bliss eternal crowns the virtuous brow, 
And where the suff 'ring tyrant pleads in vain. — 
But from my eyes the glim'ring light recedes, 
My trembling feet refuse their wonted step, 
o 



106 dOt^ja i^nez Acf ill. 

And all the agonies of death press on me. 
My children, O my babes! — Pedro, husband! 
Where are you ? Why come you not to help me, 
Struggling with the power of death? Off murd Vers, 
Spare your cruel fury !— 1 faint — I die — Oh ! — 

(Exeunt Alvaro Gonsalves, and Egas Coelho, 
bearing off the body of Dona Ignez.) 

KING. 

Ignez! Why did I make thee suffer thus? 
Come, unhappy infants, let's leave this place. 

DON ALPHONSO. 

O best of mothers ! who can help thee now ? 
Enter the infanta dona branca^ 

DONA BRANCA. 

Oppress'd with grief, I come, my liege,-*- 

KING. 

Now are 

You reveng'd, at the cost of all my peace; 
If you possess a heart like that, which urg^d 
Me on to do this savage deed; look there, 
And see her blighted hopes. O wretched king! 
This fatal shock will bring me to the grave. 

(Exit with the children.) 



ACT III. DE CASTRO* 107 

DONA BRANCA. 

Signer, hear me, stay and tell me all ! 

His cheek is blanch'd and tremor shakes his limbs. 
Did he not ask an audience, wherefore then 
My presence fly, and leave me thus in doubt. 

1 know not what my tim'rous heart forbodes, 
O God of heav n, what torments shall I feel 
If by his orders Dona Ignez fell ? 

This grief excessive and this silent gloom 
Which, fixt, prevail throughout the castle halls, 
Conspire t' advise me of her wretched fate. 

Enter violante. 

VIOLANTE. 

Where shall I fly, where shall my aching eyes 

A place behold from tyranny secure ? 

The prowling beasts that roam about for prey 

In Lybia's deserts and Arabia's wilds, 

Are not so fierce as these. 

DONA BRANCA. 

Why thus distres'd? 

What moves thy soul to grief? 

VIOLANTE. 

Do you ask that? 

o2 



103 DONA IGNEZ ACT III, 

drive me not on you to vent my hate, 
And chide you with my tears, 

DONA BRANCA. 

It must be so, 

As my sad thoughts forbode ; for pity's sake 

Explain thy grief, nor leave me in suspense, 

VIOLANTE. 

Without a rival you may now enjoy 

That happiness you've panted for so long ; 

But, when the voice of exultation fills 

The banquet, murder in your ears will shriek. 

Alas! they pierc'd her bosom with their swords. 

DONA BRANCA. 

Be calm. By all yon spangled sheen I swear, 
Tho' falsehood tell the world, when Ignez fell 
That proud Navarre presided at her death ; 

1 was not privy to or sought the deed. 

^Tis true, I pin'd with ardent love, which met 
With no return, and wept my own disgrace ; 
But still my heart, a monster so abhorr'd 
As murder never harbour'd ; much I wisli'd 
My absence, when I saw how love had twin'd 
Their hearts in one and all the prospect gloom'd. 
So lately bright with such fair gleams of hope. 



ACT III. DE CASTRO. 109 

And thou, O faithful servant, tell the prince 
I am not guilty of this crime, nor wish'd 
With woe to rend his heart; that innocent 
I leave the realm, in silence to lament 
This tragic scene and weep his wretched fate. 

(Exit the Infanta Dona Branca,) 

VIOLANTE. 

Where shall I go? my ev'ry joy is fled, 
And all the world seems but a dreary waste. 



ACT III. SCENE II. 

The Country: the Palace in the Distance. 

Enter 
DON PEDRO and the constable. 



CONSTABLE 

Come, my lord ! let's hasten on. 

DON PEDRO. 

If I should 

Find my sire no more ? 



110 DONA IGNEZ ACT IIU 

CONSTABLE. 

Take comfort, my prince ! 

It is a debt that ev'ry one must pay, 

And from which no mortal can escape ; 

When sickness seized him I was by his side, 

In agonizing pain he rais'd his head, 

And, bath'd in tears, demanded me to seek 

Your highness, that his latest breath might fall 

With tenderness and blessings on his son. 

My prompt obedience was my only answer,^ 

Haste then, my lord ! 

DON PEDRO. 

O my prophetic thoughts, 

W hat sad forbodings hurry o er my soul I 

Enter nunc da cunha. 

NUNO DA cunha. 

Permit me to salute your royal hand. 

DON PEDRO. 

Parent of mercy ! Is my father dead ? 

NUNC da cunha. 

Yes, we have lost our king, and you your sire. 



ACT m. BE CASTRO. Ill 

DON PEDRO. 
What sad, what woeful tidings dost thou bring. 

CONSTABLE. 

My king expir'd! O ye malignant stars! 

NUNO DA CUNHA. 

And ere he died the poinard did its work : 

Alvaro's and Coelho's murd'ring hands 

By his command the princess Ignez stabb'd. 

(Aside to Constable.) 

CONSTABLE. 

By council most perverse these cruel tyrants 
Have swayM his majesty ; but let them dread : 
Tremendous vengeance on their crimes will fall. 

NUNO DA CUNHA. 

Who shall announce these tidings to the king. 

CONSTABLE. 

For such a task my resolution fails. 

DON PEDRO. 

Tis by the sacred providence ordain'd, 
That this sad tribute must be paid by all ; 
Let now my vassals mourn this heavy loss, 



112 DONA IGNEZ ACT III. 

And print a kiss on his paternal hand; 
I midst th' agony of my grief will follow. 
Go, Nuno, tell my Ignez of his death, 
And our succession to the throne announce ; 
Assure her of my love, and say the court 
Which now in sorrow droops shall rise in joy. 

NUNO DA CUNHA. 

Alas ! how will he bear this dreadful tale ? 

DON PEDRO. 

Nuno, go. 

NUNO DA CUNHA. 

Know, my liege ! 

DON PEDRO. 

What now ? — 

NUNO DA CUNHA. 

Scarce was 

Your father dead, when Egas and iVlvaro 

Betook themselves to flight, for — 

DON PEDRO. 

Tliey had cause 

To dread my vengeance as- accusers false. 

Go, haste, in quest of the delinquents send 



ACT III. DE CASTRO. 113 

The holy brotherhood, for I intend, 
That suppUant at my Ignez' feet they fall. 
And her first act of mercy shall be shewn 
In pardoning their crimes. 

NUNC DA CUNHA. 

what distress ! 

CONSTABLE. 

1 fear the grief hell feel will cause his death. 

(Aside.) 

DON PEDRO. 

My dearest Ignez, O my best belov'd ! 
With what delight the throne I'll share with thee ; 
And the cruel vassals, whose contemptuous pride 
Oppos'd our joys, by my command shall stoop 
And kiss thy lovely hand. Their sov'reigii^s wife 
By them shall be acknowledged as their queen. 

Enter viol ante. 

VIOLANTE. 

A sorrowing wanderer on the earth, 

Where shall I fly? — I'll now wipe off my tearSo 

DON PEDRO. 

Violante ! 



114 



BONA I<5N£Z 
VIiOLAjrTE* 



Ah^ my lordl 



DON PEDRO. 

Why thus m tears ? 

Tell me, why dost thou weep ? 

VIOLANTE. 

He knows it not — 

I cannot isell the crmi deed. 

DON PEDRO. 

Violante ! 
Wherein my love? 

VIOLANT1E. 

My blood runs chill with fear^ 



DON PEDRO. 

What do I see ? her silence and her tears 
Betray some hidden anguish in her breast. 
Do not leave me in suspence. 

Enter dona branca. 



D0K4 3BA|fCA* 



Royal Pedro! 



ACT III. lyE CAsit'ke. 115 

My heart is torn witfr grief, and scarce my tongue 
Can utt'rance find. First know^ I swear to heavn 
Tliat I ne'er took a part in this sad scene, 
This mournful tragedy. Urg'd by tb' advice 
And council of Gonsalves and Coelho, 
And, by false accusations much enrag'd, 
Your father, with these tyrants, bent his steps 
Unto the quinta of Dona Ignez ; 
And there, more savage than the fiercest beasts, 
Their bosoms burning with unmanly ire, 
Impious tyrants, but CMi — I die with grief f 
They sheath'd their daggers in her lovely breast. 



DON PEDRO* 

Heavens, — help ! 

DONA BRANCA. 

This day is big with heaviest woe. 



(Swoons.) 



VrOLANTE^ 

My king, my lord, heav 'n in mercy help him ! 

DONA BRANCA. 

O sad, heart-breaking sight. Ho, within there ! 
Enter nuno da gunha. 

NX3NO DA CUNHA. 

Your pleasure, princess ! 

p2 



116 BONA IGNEZ ACT III, 

DONA BRANCA. 

See the king has swoons. 

NUNO DA CUNHA. 

A cold sweat now hangs o'er his face. 

DONA BRANCA. 

I fear 

This shock is arm'd with death ; what can I hope ? 

At ev'ry step some scene of woe presides. 

Why should I tarry here? Was it for this 

I left Castile, my brother and my friends? 

I'll to Navarre return. 

(Exit.) 

VIOLANTE* 

See, he revives ! 

NUNC DA CUNHA. 

My honour'd king, tho' just your cause to grieve, 

Attend unto the welfare of the state. 

Which much requires your succour and your aid. 

Let not the realm another sovereign mourn. 

But as your innocent and much lov'd wife, 

Torn from your heart, now Ues a breathless corps, 

Live and revenge her death. 



ACT in. DE CASTRO* 117 

DON PEDRO. 

Dearest Ignez ! 

my much lov'd wife ! thy most virtuous soul 
FHtting the prison, in which \was here confin'd, 
To heav n ascended, now enjoys that bhss 

On earth denied. Alas! how short our joys. 

NUNO DA CUNHA. 

Take comfort, my lord ! 

BON PEDRO.' 

1 am distracted. 

NUNC DA CUNHA. 

Do not so much, my lord ! give way to grief. 

DON PEDRO. 

They only know the anguish of my heart, 
Who, in hke manner, may have felt its pangs. 
Alas ! I've lost all that my soul held dear, 
A loss which all the world cannot restore. 
O reason hold thy seat! come, Nuno, come. 

NUNO DA CUNHA, 

Whither my liege ? 

DON PEDRO. 

To see my murder'd wife, 



118 DONA IGNEZ ACT m> 

And clasp within these armsr her Kfeless corps. 
Violante ! Go prepare that jewell'd crown^ 
Which I so often promised with these hands 
To place upon her head. 

VIOLANTE. 

My lord, I will 

Obey your orders and reaew my grief. 

(Exit, VhiaMe.) 

D<>]» PEDRO>. 

With all convenient speed a throne erect, 
Adorn'd with regal pomp, whereon shall sit 
One, whom the chilly hand of death forbade 
To be a living queen. 

NUNC DA CUNHA. 

Exalted love ! 

How shall the mem'ry of this scene descend ! 
Where hope is banish'd and enjoyment fled^ 
Yet still amid the pomp of ruin shine 
With double lustre and affection true. 

(Exit Ntmo da Cunha.) 

DON PEDRO. 

I feel as if the blood froze in my veins, 

And some sad scene for ever fills my thoughts. 



ACT 111* »E CASTftO. 119 

Cruel barbarians 1 wfcere shall my fery find ycm? 
I vow eternal vengeance to your blood. 
And will invent new torments for your crime. 
With lavish cruelty 111 burn their hearts, 
A dread example of my just revenge; 
Eternity itself sliali g^Mjdder ; yes, 
I will be savage in revenge. 

Enter the constable. 

CO:NSTABi-E^ 

My liege ! 

DON PEDRO. 

Die traitor ! 

(Drawing his sword.) 

CONSTABLE. 

See me prostrate at your feet, 

But tell me why your aged servant falls ? 

DON PEDRO. 

O Constable ! In thee I thought I saw 
The savage murd'rers of my wife. 

CONSTABLE. 

My king! 

Much rather w^ould I die, and end a life 



1£0 DONA IGNEZ ACT IIU 

Now near its close, than wretched live and see 
My sov'reign thus — 

DON PEDRO. 

My much approved friend, 

I can no longer now refrain, these eyes 

Must view my martyr'd Ignez, 

CONSTABLE. 

my liege! 

1 dread the woeful sight will rend your soul. 

DON PEDRO. 

Ah no, the measure of my woe is full ; 
And yet my fate ordains 1 still must live. 
Immortal will her many virtues be. 
And future ages will my doom lament. 

(Exeunt Don Pedro and the Constable.) 



ACT III, BE CASTRO. 1-21 



ACT IIL SCENE III. 

A magnificent hall, with a canopy over a chair of 
state, in which is placed the body of Dona Ignez 
de Castro f near it the crown upon a salver. 

Enter 

DON PEDRO, NUNO DA CUNHA, CONSTABLE^ 
GRANDEES and GUARDS. 



NUNO DA CUNHA* 



My liege! the shortness of the time would not 
Permit of any further pomp. 

DON PEDRO. 

Ignez !— 

O wretched fate, to be constraint to live 

Without thy love. Barbarous, cruel monsters ! 

Why did their daggers not the deed refuse ? 

Oh ! who can heal the wounds in thy fair breast 1 

Who can reanimate those darkened eyes, 

And to thy wretched Pedro give thee back! 



12^ BONA JGNBZ< ACT ni. 

The sad remembrance of this mournful scene 

Will sharpen my revenge. Cruel, cruel villains, 

Void of mercy and deaf to pity's voice, 

Into her breast to plunge their murdVing swords* 

To see thy dying eyes £ind not relent, 

A savage prodigality betrays. 

To see thee as IVe seen atid see thee now, 

Would riot tame, and make a statue weep. 

CONSTABLE. 

My lieger, Ae crown— 

{Gii^es the cromn to the prince*} 

BON PEDHO. 

Beloved consort ! 'Twas 

Cplacing the crown on her head.} 
My firm intent, that when the voice of heav'n 
From earthly pomp to purer bliss my sire 
Should call, to reign and share tht^ throne with thee. 
Tho' lifeless now, the vows 1 pledg d and all 
My sacred promises shall be perform'd. 
O'er Cruelty's havoc Glory still shall sway. 
My faithiul vassals, kneeling, kiss the hand 
Of that pale form, which, but the fates forbade, 
It would have been your duty to have own'd 
Your mistress and your queen. 



ACT nr. DE CASTBO. 125 

CONStA^LE. 

My aged locks 

The preference here demand. My honored liege! 

With all respect to you and her I bend 

And kiss this royal hand. 

NUNO DA CUNHA, 

With all the rev'rence 

A vassal owes his queen, I do the same, 

GRANDEES. 

So do we all. 

DON PEDRO, 

Now Constable ! the last 

And mournful rites to you I do entrust. 

With all pomp due to majesty deceas'd 

To Alcobaga; gently move her corpse ; 

With torches let the road be lighted up, 

A thousand to each league. So much my soul 

The savage cruelty of her fate bewails, 

Aiid on her doom remembrance loves to dwell, 

That I in gorgeous splendour would surpass 

The fun'ral weeping Artimesia gave 

To Mausolus her lord. O dearest wife ! 

Through ev'ry future age thy mournful tale 

Shall fill the eye of mem'ry with a tear. 



iM DONA IGNEZ, S^C. ACT III. 

But Oh, sad fate ! that I should be denied 
To place the diadem upon thy head, 
And call thee queen, while yet the tide of life 
With love and pleasure flew along thy veins. 



E^id of Jet Third. 



FINIS. 



AKENHEADS, PRINTERS, 
NEWCASTLE. 



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